Vol. 395 No. 8
43 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the Government's view of the proposals of the European Commission on the patenting of life forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ireland supports the objectives of the EC Commission proposal for a Council Directive on the Legal Protection of biotechnological inventions in so far as they encourage the harnessing of the new techniques of biotechnology for the benefit of agriculture, industry and the economy in general.
The detailed proposals cover a very complex area of intellectual property law, involving a number of international conventions. The examination of them is being continued under our Presidency but they will not be concluded by the end of that period. Biotechnology is the basis of some of our oldest industries, brewing being a good example. The newer techniques in biotechnology now allow for advances in the production of disease-resistant strains for plants and animals. My objective, as examination of the directive proceeds, is to ensure that these new techniques are properly exploited in the national economic interest.
