Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 17, inclusive, together.

There are various proposals for constitutional reforms under consideration. However, no final decisions have been made on the timing. I am conscious of the limited time before which a general election will be held next year. Some of the proposed reforms arise from the programme for Government, such as housing and extending the franchise at presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State, while others, such as the EU agreement on a unified patent court, arise from existing legal requirements.

The establishment of the Electoral Commission has helped to streamline the conduct of referendums and provide independent oversight.

In respect of the referendum on the unified patent court, the Government has decided that more time is needed to ensure there is a full understanding of the issues at hand. Holding it in June would have meant that in Limerick, people would have ended up with four ballot papers on one day - one for a directly elected mayor, one for the European elections, one for local election and one for a referendum. The Government decided to defer that referendum. The Government and many in this House remain strongly in support of the unified patent court but the area of patents and patent law is complex and highly technical. It is not unreasonable, therefore, to take time to ensure a fuller understanding and teasing though of the issues. No final decisions have been made on the timing of other potential constitutional reforms.

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