Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together.

There are a number of proposals for constitutional reforms under consideration. However, no final decisions have been made as yet by Government on the timing of any such referendum. Some of the proposed constitutional reforms arise from the programme for Government, such as housing and extending the franchise for presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State. Other proposals, such as the EU Agreement on a Unified Patent Court, arise from existing legal requirements. In respect of the referendum that would be required for the Unified Patent Court, the Government decided that more time was necessary to ensure there would be a full opportunity to debate and understand the issues at hand. However, the Government does remain strongly in support of the Unified Patent Court. That said, the area of patents and patent law is undoubtedly highly technical, and it is not unreasonable, therefore, to allow more time. There is also a commitment regarding ownership of water services, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will bring forward proposals in due course for Government's consideration on those matters.

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