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THE GOVERNMENT IS set to consider postponing the upcoming patent referendum at next week’s Cabinet meeting.
The referendum was set to be held in early June alongside the local and European elections, however it is understood a memo will go to Cabinet next week asking ministers to decide whether to proceed with the referendum as planned or postpone it.
Taoiseach Simon Harris is understood to have indicated at last night’s parliamentary party meeting that the referendum is to be postponed.
The referendum relates to Ireland joining the Unified Patent Court. If passed, it would mean EU Member States can recognise each others’ patents.
In order to solve any disputes that may arise through the patent court, an amendment to Article 29 of the Constitution is needed through a referendum.
Government has previously argued it would harmonise the registration and recognition of patents throughout the EU with a single court to rule on disputes.
A total of 17 countries across the EU take part in the Unified Patent Court, which opened in June of last year.
Junior Minister Neale Richmond previously described the new system as an “incredible opportunity” for Irish businesses as it would significantly reduce the cost of patenting something across multiple countries.
Responsibility for the referendum lies in the Department of Enterprise, where Peter Burke has just been appointed Minister for Enterprise.
It is understood the rationale behind the memo being brought to Cabinet next week is there are fears about putting it before a volatile electorate, in light of the the family and care referendums being voted down recently by the public.
The government believes it is an important referendum that will help business and must pass, but it is “risky” to run the referendum in the short-term.
A spokesperson for Sinn Féin said the party is yet to take a position on the referendum.
Sinn Féin has traditionally called for a no vote in referendums that transfer powers out of Ireland, and there was speculation that the party may not back a yes vote in the referendum on the patent court.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne said reports that the referendum is now under review are “extremely concerning”.
He said: “We should proceed with this referendum and get out there and fight for it. The referendum is exclusively about Irish competitiveness and ensuring that Irish inventors have an easier and more cost-efficient way of protecting their inventions and their ideas.”
With reporting from Christina Finn
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Sinn Fein are yet to take a position on it. Waiting to see which direction the wind is blowing and if the wind changes direction Sinn Fein will change direction as they do on all major issues.
@Frank McGlynn:just like FFG filled Ireland with Ukrainians , SF will try to fill Ireland with Palestinians
@Finn Barr: What exactly is your hope for the next government if you’re condemning all of the 3 largest parties?
Nobody else will run enough candidates to lead a coalition, the next government will 100% be either continuity with FF + FG or a SF led alternative.
@Rochelle Hart: Honestly, I’d be even happy with a sizable opposition of Inds, Aontú and Nationalists in the Dáil to hold Government to account, because SF were absolutely abysmal in opposition!
@Finn Barr: In fairness, Ukrainian refugees haven’t assinated leaders in host countries or tried to overthrow governments- to the extent that neighbouring countries won’t allow them in. They also don’t have a solem Covenant to wipe out non believers in their flavour of their religion of peace.
Same cannot be said about Palestinians. But on a positive note, they would build the Dublin Metro in double quick time
@Thomas Sheridan: lol, true, that!
@Finn Barr: Why would you be happy with that? It’s still the exact same government making the exact same decisions.
@Frank McGlynn: They will campaign against any referendum that this or any future government ever proposes…….populist games suit them better!!
Vote right wing Independents, Aontú or Nationalist parties
The rest of them couldn’t care less about Ireland
@Finn Barr: Those are exactly the people I won’t vote for.
@Brendan O’Brien: that’s the beauty of democracy- you don’t have to!
@Finn Barr: definitely Finn
@Brendan O’Brien: oh mr out of touch again
@Finn Barr: no one who values employment, investment and women’s rights would vote for any of that sad bunch.
If the political leaders are of the view that this government is so toxic that any referendum would be voted down regardless of what is proposed then they’re admitting to themselves that an immediate general election is needed.
Now scrap the hate speech bill which the majority of people do not want. The alternative is to give us a referendum on said bill. McEntee should learn from the Scottish First Ministers major mistake.
@steve grehan: online trolls and Shinnerbots clearly don’t want it, but ordinary society does want protection from abuse and threats
@Pat Hazzard: Who needs referendums when we have one person stepping forward to speak for ordinary society.
Has anyone else been reminded of Animal Farm?
@Pat Hazzard: If you had said, I think ordinary society wants this law, that’s fair comment, but to make a bald statement such as, ordinary society wants this law, is to me, hubristic and arrogant!
@Pat Hazzard: NGO and you may want it, ordinary society does not.
Worried about another no . FG have spent 13 years in power and it’s the first time that they’ve actually listened with their ears instead of their mouths. Recent referendum results are and the overwhelming no have given them the correct answer. As for Sinn Fein I wouldn’t even grant them a response
I assume this is because of a realisation that, currently, whatever the government proposes will be defeated whether it’s the best thing for the country or not.
When a person lies and ignores their partner, they’re labled a narcissist. When a government does it, they’re exactly that institutional equivalent. We have to read between the lines now just like in Eastern Europe during the 1970s in order the decipher the truth.
Clearly a deeply insecure, narcissistic Tory government that have held into power for too long. The FG diehards have especially no shame at this stage, while the Seanad with people like Doherty in it and Maria Walsh in Europe saying ‘she fears extremists would take their place,’
Can we journal debunk whether fG think those who oppose them are extremists? You can’t debunk it if it’s true
We need a referendum on lowering general election terms and put an actual ironclad date, like every five years second Sunday in October for example.
@J Ven: Sure that would ruin Halloween, it wouldn’t seem scary at all 2 weeks after a general election.
@J Ven: Lowering the term? It’s already populist enough.
This patent reform is absolutely needed by businesses and entrepreneurs, rather than cancelling the referendum proper resources and time needs to be put into it to clearly explain the benefits.
@Pat Hazzard: businesses across this country have been gouging people for the last few years. I would vote no on that basis.
lets waste another 23 millions on ministers vanity
Scrape away
Headline says ‘scrapping’, article says ‘postponing’, are you trying to insult your readers intelligence?
Scrapping*
have your say