Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
179. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the recent discussions on intellectual property waivers for vaccines at the WTO (details supplied); his position on the issue; and if the Irish ambassador to the WTO has clarified the position of Ireland on the proposal. [15179/21]
View answerInternational Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties. In exercising that competence at the WTO, the European Commission engages with Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committee and Working Parties/Groups, including on intellectual property. My Department is engaging with the Department of Foreign Affairs on this and other issues relating to Covid-19.
The EU’s current position on the proposed waiver is that the WTO international agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (the TRIPS Agreement) allows countries the flexibility to respond to the concerns raised by proposers of the waiver. Specifically, the TRIPS Agreement allows compulsory licensing which is when a government permits an entity to produce the patents products or process without the consent of the patent owner.
The EU continues to be committed to an open and comprehensive dialogue with all WTO members to explore how the multilateral rules-based trading system can best support universal and equitable access to COVID-10 vaccines and treatments.
The EU considers that the COVAX Facility, the international initiative to ensure global supply and access to COVID-19 vaccines, is the mechanism that is best placed to ensure that high-income countries finance the vaccines and support the developing countries to secure their share of global supply.
Ireland has consistently championed collaborative responses to the pandemic, with a focus on ensuring that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are served by our collective effort. As a member of the global health community, Ireland continues to play an active role in ensuring fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. This includes supporting the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Global Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund, to develop, produce and equitably distribute effective technologies in the COVID-19 global response.
