Louise O'Reilly
Question:75. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the work for a referendum on Unified Patent Court. [51440/23]
View answerThursday, 23 November 2023
Questions (75)
Written answers
In June 2022, the Government reaffirmed its intention to participate in the Unitary Patent System and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and to hold a related referendum. An amendment to the Constitution is required before Ireland can ratify the Agreement on the UPC (UPCA), as the Agreement entails a transfer of jurisdiction from the Irish courts to an international court.
The timing of the Referendum is a matter for Government to decide and I anticipate a decision will arise in the coming months. My Department’s officials are currently advancing referendum preparations. The work underway includes the drafting of a Constitutional Amendment Bill with assistance from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. An Interdepartmental Group was convened in September to assist in advancing potential post-referendum preparations.
The Government proposes to establish a local division of the UPC subject to the outcome of a Constitutional Referendum.
Question No. 76 answered with Question No. 53.