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Intellectual Property

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (200)

Holly Cairns

Question:

200. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to ensure the waiving of intellectual property rights for Covid-19 products during the pandemic through the World Trade Organization, in particular vaccines, as recommended by the World Health Organization; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15932/21]

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Written answers

International 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. 

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.

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