Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2017
309. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the timeframe for holding a referendum on the implementation of the Unified Patent Court; the impact Brexit will have on its implementation; if the agreement will require renegotiation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54143/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment has deferred a decision on the timing of a referendum on Ireland's participation in the Unified Patent Court. The Agreement on a Unified Patent Court is an international agreement between 25 contracting EU member states and the Court, when operational, will not be an EU institution. The impact of Brexit is not clear and any suggestion of a re-negotiation of the Agreement, which would be a matter for the contracting parties rather than the EU, is premature.
