I understand that the Deputy’s question primarily relates to the current system for calculating funding allocations for the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network. I will provide some information for clarity. I know Deputy Murphy is all too familiar with it. I will then deal with the specifics on funding, if that is agreeable to the Deputy. I will run through it as quickly as I can.
As outlined in the 2024 regional and local roads programme released on 15 February this year, the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing regional and local road network. This facilitates business, education, tourism, healthcare, agriculture and the provision of critical services and activities. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads are the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from councils' own resources, supplemented by State road grants.
Ireland's regional and local road network spans over 96,000 km. The network requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilient. As such, €658 million was allocated to regional and local road grants in 2024, with approximately 90% of this funding being directed towards maintenance and renewal works. This funding supports local authorities in fulfilling their statutory responsibilities.
Due to the vast scale of the network, the Department of Transport employs an array of grant types to ensure investment is targeted across the network, from supporting scheduled maintenance works to funding climate adaptation projects, which aims to build resilience in the road network against severe weather events.
Within the budget available to the Department, State grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to ensure that all local authorities are in receipt of funds to maintain the network. The allocation of the three biggest Exchequer grant types, namely, restoration maintenance, restoration improvement and discretionary grants, is based on the length of regional and local roads within a local authority's area, with additional weighting based on contributing traffic factors in specific areas.
The rationale for this approach is that it is objective, it avoids onerous administrative and monitoring burdens on both local authorities and the Department of Transport and, critically, it avoids any perverse incentives that might arise if another basis were used. For example, providing higher levels of Exchequer funding where road quality is lower could create a disincentive for local authorities to devote own resource funding towards achieving a high-quality network. As mentioned, each local authority is legally responsible for ensuring its network is maintained and improved.
This approach also means that, while central government is supplying significant funding, we are acknowledging that local authorities themselves are best placed to make determinations in their areas for maximum delivery of results. Indeed, the initial selection and prioritisation of maintenance and renewal works are matters for each local authority. There is flexibility within the State grant programme for councils to direct resources to address particular problems identified on their networks as they see fit.
We encourage local authority officials, be they from Wexford or otherwise, to contribute in that manner. I have no doubt that if additional State funding is required, that case can be made and Deputy Murphy has made it very eloquently here this evening. I am more than prepared to pass that on. Responsibility lies with the Minister and the statutory agency and it requires a bit of work. Perhaps a meeting organised by the Deputy between a deputation from Wexford County Council and the Minister responsible with officials of the State agency would be in order. I would be more than happy to write in support of that proposal after this evening's engagement.
]]>In recent months, Ireland has consistently advocated for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, for sustained humanitarian access and for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. A temporary or short-term ceasefire is not good enough. A ceasefire on its own is not good enough. We need a lasting peace and Ireland very much wants to be part of that discussion about how we create a lasting peace and ensure there is a two-state solution.
We want to maintain our relationship with our allies. We want to be honest with our allies, but we want to make sure that our voice is constantly heard. That is why we will take that message. I again reassure the Deputy that every point he has made this evening will be repeated by Ministers in every single engagement as part of their St. Patrick's Day programme. I have no doubt that in due course there will be an opportunity to report back to this House about how those discussions went.
]]>Time is short, but we can still improve the situation and the first step to doing so is an immediate unconditional ceasefire. For months, the Government and this House have been unequivocal in our calls for an immediate ceasefire. This remains a critical moment. I sincerely hope that a ceasefire can be secured in advance of Ramadan, which begins on 10 March.
The Government’s core position is consistent, principled and clear: an immediate ceasefire; the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza; and full and unhindered humanitarian access. In the event that no ceasefire is in place by the time of St. Patrick’s Day, the Deputy can count on the Government to take the urgent message of a ceasefire with us wherever we travel. St. Patrick’s Day is an opportunity not just to advance our interests and promote trade and culture but also to promote our values. That means that we will be discussing our position on the war in Gaza in all our political engagements.
The Taoiseach will certainly do so in Washington, including in meetings with President Biden and other key leaders in the US Government. This goes far beyond the shamrock ceremony and into many important bilateral meetings. The Tánaiste will be raising the matter in Canada and so will many other members of Government. I will travel to Croatia and Slovenia and will make our position clear in all my engagements.
Pushing for a ceasefire has been a focus of outreach by the Government for months. We have been pushing for that in the EU, at the UN and in a wide range of bilateral engagements, including by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.
The Deputy will be aware of our strong support for UNRWA. It remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza and it contributes to the stability of the wider region. When news broke about the possible involvement of a small number of UNRWA staff in the attacks on October 7, the Tánaiste was the first foreign Minister to express confidence in UNRWA leadership. In February, we contributed €20 million in funding. In Europe, in Washington and elsewhere, we made the case for UNRWA. We argued that there is no alternative and that those who suspended their funding should lift that suspension. We worked assiduously within the EU to ensure that the Commission released its committed funding of €50 million to UNRWA. We will continue to make that case including, where appropriate, as part of upcoming St. Patrick’s Day programmes.
St. Patrick’s Day is a unique moment and a chance for us to showcase who we are. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to access decisions makers all over the world. That is why 38 representatives will bring Ireland’s message to 84 cities in 47 countries. I have no hesitation in assuring the Deputy that they will be bringing with them Ireland’s foreign policy priorities, including our resolute and principled position on bringing an immediate end to this brutal war. Our demand for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages and unhindered humanitarian access will be at the top of every discussion for every meeting to be held in the forthcoming week. I assure the Deputy that the comments he has made will also be put forward as part of that process.
]]>As I said, the original request for an intervention, unfortunately, is just not one we can agree to. I will, though, absolutely make the point quite clearly to the Minister and he will communicate with An Post in the appropriate manner about the importance of this issue and the very clear need for An Post to work with those interested, as well as putting this out to tender, to see what can be done not just from a commercial point of view but from a societal and community perspective. I think and hope this matter can be resolved even if it is at this late stage.
]]>I appreciate the Deputy raising this issue. I welcome the opportunity to outline the position in respect of it on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. An Post is a commercial State company with a mandate to act commercially and, as such, day-to-day operational matters, including decisions regarding the size, distribution and future of the network, are matters for the board and the management of the company and not ones in which the Minister has a statutory function.
The Minister is very aware of the impact that decisions relating to changes in An Post operations have on communities and individuals in rural and urban areas. The Deputy very eloquently and in a linguistic sense, very beautifully laid out the impact of this in his area. It is understood from An Post that the postmaster in An Rinn is retiring. An Post has advised that it has advertised the post office contract a number of times and canvassed the local area but to no avail. An Post indicated that An Rinn, like most post offices, is run by a postmaster, who is a self-employed contractor, rather than directly by An Post. The contract for An Rinn will be advertised once more this week by An Post and it has indicated it will continue looking for a suitable contractor to take over the running of the post office.
I have considerable empathy with the Deputy because no fewer than two post offices in my constituencies sadly could not be saved because the commercial viability of doing so was not appealing enough for people to take up this opportunity. Obviously, it is acutely different in suburban south Dublin compared with the rural Gaeltacht areas of Waterford. This should and will be acknowledged by An Post and the Minister.
In recent years, though, An Post, has been transforming its business by delivering new products and new formats in the context of the way it operates. Among other things, this includes diversifying and growing the financial services products it provides for individuals and SMEs to include loans, credit cards and more foreign exchange products, local banking in association with the major banks and a full range of State savings products. An Post is also providing agency banking services for AIB and Bank of Ireland across its network of post offices. The programme for Government recognises that a modernised post office network will provide a better range of financial services and e-commerce services for citizens and enterprises as part of our commitment to a sustainable, nationwide post office network with overall funding of €30 million provided to support a sustainable nationwide network in line with this commitment.
I trust, however, that the Deputy understands it would be inappropriate for the Minister, Deputy Ryan, or me, on his behalf, to comment further on operational matters relating to proposals for specific post offices. An Post plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike. An Post advises that this role is at the forefront of its mandate. Ultimately, however, the Minister cannot intervene to prevent An Post from doing that which we as the Oireachtas have given it a statutory responsibility to do. An Post has an independent board with a very clear mandate. That said, another effort is under way to find a suitable postmaster in An Rinn, a Gaeltacht region. I know An Post will put everything in place and will communicate fully with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and this House as this situation progresses.
]]>The 30-day reference period and thresholds set out in legislation are in line with the majority of other Member States and I am satisfied that they are sufficient in achieving the objective of ensuring employees are consulted with and provided with relevant information. Any proposed change would require consultation with employee and employer representative groups and careful consideration would have to be given to avoid potential unintended consequences.
Where redundancies occur which are outside the parameters of collective redundancies, employers are still legally obliged to conduct the redundancy process fairly and to use reasonable selection criteria in choosing to make people redundant. In accordance with the principles of fair procedures and natural justice, any such process should normally include a consultation with potentially affected employees.
If employees believe their employment rights as outlined above have been breached, they have the right to refer complaints to the WRC for an adjudication and compensation where appropriate.
Statutory redundancy is a lump-sum payment based on an employee’s pay and length of service. An eligible employee is entitled to two weeks' pay for every year of service plus one additional week's pay. Weekly pay is capped at €600 per week.
Any proposed changes to the minimum statutory redundancy payment would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context. Consultation with employer and employee representative groups and other relevant stakeholders would also be required.
Finally, the State also supports workers who face job losses through the Intreo service of the Department of Social Protection, which can assist with income supports and training and employment opportunities.
]]>The Minister of State wishes to reaffirm her commitment and that of the HSE to ensure that each family and their child who wish to receive an assessment have the opportunity to do so in a timely manner. Driving down those numbers in CHO 7 and beyond is an absolute priority.
]]>The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, acknowledges the challenges that are being faced by children and young people with disabilities and their families in the assessment of need process, but she remains firm in ensuring that they receive the opportunity to access health services in a timely manner. However, under the Disability Act 2005, children do not require an assessment of need to access services. Presently, there are many children in receipt of therapy services who have not gone through the AON process.
Following the High Court ruling on 11 March 2022, to the HSE was required to re-assess children to meet legal requirements. While alternative guidance was developed, the HSE reverted to the pre-2020 process and there may have been a lack of consistency across the country in the application of this interim method. It appears that the correspondence that the Senator sent to the Minister of State referred to the individual who was awaiting an AON within this timeframe.
In July 2023, the head of disability operations at the HSE approved a new and revised standard operating procedure, SOP, which included interim guidance for assessors to provide a clear and consistent approach to managing AONs and the process of referrals. In relation to CHO 7, currently a combined 5,133 AON applications between stage one and stage two are outstanding. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the HSE are entirely focused on driving down the waiting lists for AONs and this is featured strongly in the roadmap for service improvement from 2023 to 2026. Working groups implementing actions to address AON and workforce recruitment and retention the HSE and its lead agencies are continuing to explore a range of options to address AON waiting lists, including the allocation of a total of €16 million to procure private assessments for children and young people. The HSE also launched the first nationwide children's disability network team, CDNT, recruitment campaign in January 2024, which was titled “Be part of our team, be part of their lives”. So far, approximately 495 applications have been received. The HSE has also informed the Department that the interview stage of the selection process is under way and it is hoped that appointments will commence from the middle of this month onwards.
Regional assessment hubs to undertake AONs are currently in place across the country by the HSE. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, will continue to engage the HSE to advance the appropriate measures to ensure that every family seeking assessment receives one in a timely manner. It is important to acknowledge the services that are currently being delivered by the HSE and its lead agencies were approximately 46,000 children with complex needs are receiving services and supports provided by CDNTs across the State.
In conclusion, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, will underline that she will continue to engage directly with the Senator not just regarding the family in Athy he mentioned but other families across CHO 7 and particularly as they affect Kildare South.
]]>As I said, I have made a commitment to the Senator to take this forward and I remain at his disposal. As a Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I know how important this is to local businesses and local workers, so I will be able to bring that opinion, as well as my own deep knowledge of the area. Most importantly, I will also relay the Senator's consistent campaigning on this issue.
]]>I will not read out a script that does not provide the Senator with the information he needs. I will refer to a couple of points I think are important to put on the record to frame the debate, after which I will make a slight commitment to the Senator, if that is okay. As the Senator knows, an extension to the existing Bandon relief road - not Bantry - is intended to address a number of issues within the current road. Currently, this road ties back into the existing road network via a very steep downhill gradient. Traffic also needs to negotiate a number of roundabouts and priority junctions within the built-up area. There is heavy traffic on the N71 in this area, with average daily traffic of between 9,000 and 13,000 vehicles. Heavy goods vehicles comprise up to 5% of this traffic. The proposed relief road extension would involve bridging the R603 to remove the steep gradient and the constriction of approximately 2.5 km of new single carriageway tying back into the existing N71 to the west of the town. I said that for the record. The Senator and I both know all of that, having experienced the road in Bantry so many times.
As the Senator also knows, during 2023, Cork County Council held a competition to appoint technical advisers to complete phase 2, option selection, and phase 3, design and environmental evaluation. Assessment of these tenders is ongoing with an appointment expected very shortly. As the Senator laid out, under the national roads allocation for 2024, €150,000 was allocated to this scheme. I will make this commitment to the Senator before I leave the Chamber.I will write letters to each of the Ministers in the Department of Transport, asking them not only to engage directly with the Senator's office, but to visit the town. I will follow up on that directly, because it is the least the Senator deserves at this stage. More importantly, it is the least the people of Bandon and its surroundings deserve.
]]>I want to touch on what has been done over recent months since we last spoke in this Chamber about this issue. Following the public tender competition, an interpretation and exhibition consultant has been engaged to shape and provide key design input into the future visitor experience at the site. This is an especially key role and the OPW is delighted to have secured a leading international firm of significant repute to fill this important position within the design team. A full digital survey has been undertaken and this will provide detailed photographic and digital mapping information that will be a key resource to the project, a complete record of the buildings as they stand and an essential record of the baseline state of the properties that will have multiple uses both practically and to provide a record of the physical fabric. Finally, and perhaps most important, a timber specialist is being engaged to carry out a survey of all the wooden elements within the houses and to provide expert advice on their current state and recommendations to ensure their conservation.
]]>I love Moore Street. I grew up going down Moore Street and Henry Street. The Senator will be no different herself. It was just part of our childhood and going into do shopping in Henry Street or O’Connell Street, popping down to see the traders at Moore Street. I want to pick up on something the Senator said. Following the very sad night of riots in the city before Christmas, I was required to spend a lot more time in that part of the city and it was an honour to be required to spend more time there and with the traders and shops of Moore Street and that area.The Senator is dead right; it is a wonderful place. There is a lot of diversity, and while it is the cradle of our Republic, for me it is also very much the blueprint of what our Republic should look like in the next 20 years. It deserves that attention from both the local authority and central government. I echo those sentiments the Senator made and underline my personal commitment.
As she will be aware from previous statements here, the OPW has engaged a professional design team to progress the Moore Street project. These parties have for the past several months been engaged in a complete review and reappraisal of the project, taking into account the lapse in time since the earlier phase of work and addressing additional requirements of building compliance, sustainability and other factors arising in recent years since the project went into abeyance. Additionally, it has been engaged in a fresh reappraisal of the surrounding development landscape in Dublin 1.
As the Senator will be aware, a number of planning applications are in train in the immediate area around the Moore Street houses and these will, when they have been resolved, have a significant impact on the work of the national monument. This is especially important since it is clear these developments will, if they proceed as planned, alter the approach that had previously been envisaged as regards one of side of the commemorative site and will mean a large part of the earlier project in that location will have to be redesigned. However, given a number of these matters are under appeal to An Bord Pleanála, that issue is somewhat uncertain.
The review and reappraisal work concluded late last year and, as might have been expected, has given rise to significant adjustments to the project. This was done in a vacuum, given there is still no resolution to the five planning applications that surround the Moore Street houses on three of its sides. However, the OPW has continued to press on and has tried to plan for the project as best it can. Although the indicated changes are largely technical in nature and will certainly not affect the outcome of the project overall, they are nevertheless important in that they will necessitate some significant replanning of the work involved and will have a time implication. Following the presentation of the work of the design team before Christmas, these matters have been considered by the OPW project team, which has issued instructions to proceed. The future phases of work that need to be organised have, therefore, in recent weeks been programmed and work on the next phase is under way.
I appreciate that the Senator may be disappointed the project is taking time to advance. I share that disappointment but I caution that we are trying to bring forward two projects in tandem, one involving in the legacy buildings in Moore Street and the other a full new public building on a site to the rear of No. 15. Either of these projects on their own is a substantial undertaking but we are attempting to bring both forward together in an uncertain development landscape and this presents a considerable challenge. I should caution that the project is still in a potentially vulnerable position as regards any unforeseen issues that arise and any dates I advance at this stage must be regarded as provisional and subject to later change should the circumstances change. Nevertheless, given what we know now, this is the timeframe the OPW expects. A number of other matters have been addressed by the OPW most recently to progress the project, and while I would like to share them with the Senator, my time is running out, so I might do that in my supplementary reply.
]]>GO nDÉANFAR an ráiteas atá leagtha amach sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Rún seo a fhorordú mar eolas do vótálaithe, de bhun alt 23 d'Acht an Reifrinn, 1994 (Uimh. 12 de 1994), i ndáil leis an togra chun an Bunreacht a leasú, atá ar áireamh sa Bhille um an Aonú Leasú is Daichead ar an mBunreacht (An Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitinní), 2024, agus is ábhar do reifreann bunreachta.An SceidealFiafraítear díot, sa reifreann seo, an bhféadfaidh Éire an Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitinní a dhaingniú.
An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Daichead ar an mBunreacht (An Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitinní), 2024
– Páipéar Ballóide Uaine
Ráiteas mar Eolas do Vótálaithe
Beartaítear leis an mBille um an Aonú Leasú is Daichead ar an mBunreacht (An Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitinní), 2024 an fo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt 10° d'Airteagal 29.4 den Bhunreacht: "11° Féadfaidh an Stát an Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitinní, arna dhéanamh sa Bhruiséil an 19ú lá d'Fheabhra, 2013, a dhaingniú. Ní dhéanann aon fhoráil atá sa Bhunreacht seo dlíthe a d'achtaigh, gníomhartha a rinne nó bearta a ghlac an Stát de bhíthin riachtanais na n-oibleagáidí atá ar an Stát faoin gComhaontú sin a chur ó bhail dlí ná cosc a chur le dlíthe a d'achtaigh, gníomhartha a rinne nó bearta a ghlac comhlachtaí atá inniúil faoin gComhaontú sin ó fheidhm dlí a bheith acu sa Stát." Má thoilíonn tú leis an togra, cuir X os coinne an fhocail Tá ar an bpáipéar ballóide.
Mura dtoilíonn tú leis an togra, cuir X os coinne an fhocail Níl ar an bpáipéar ballóide.
Is féidir féachaint ar chóip den Bhille ar an idirlíon ag www.oireachtas.ie
I move:
THAT the statement set out in the Schedule to this Resolution be prescribed for the information of voters, pursuant to section 23 of the Referendum Act 1994 (No. 12 of 1994), in relation to the proposal to amend the Constitution which is contained in the Forty‑first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024 and is the subject of a constitutional referendum.]]>ScheduleYou are being asked, in this referendum, if Ireland may ratify the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court.
Forty‑first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024
– Green Ballot Paper
Statement for the Information of Voters
The Forty‑first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024 proposes to insert the following subsection after subsection 10° of Article 29.4 of the Constitution:
"11° The State may ratify the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court done at Brussels on the 19th day of February 2013. No provision of this Constitution invalidates laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the State that are necessitated by the obligations of the State under that Agreement or prevents laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by bodies competent under that Agreement from having the force of law in the State."
If you approve of the proposal, mark X opposite the word Yes on the ballot paper.
If you do not approve of the proposal, mark X opposite the word No on the ballot paper.
A copy of the Bill may be viewed on the internet at www.oireachtas.ie
I am concerned about Deputy Sherlock's reluctance but I welcome the statement by his party colleague, Deputy Nash, last week that the Labour Party will support this referendum. Deputy Sherlock will understand the delays beyond our control that happened in this regard. I went through them on Second Stage. Of course one reason for the delay was the UK's decision to withdraw from the European Union and, therefore, withdraw from the formulation of this court.
As it stands, if a piece of technology or a drug is developed with cross-Border co-operation, it is registered for a patent in the jurisdiction where it is registered. The patent can be registered, if it is in Northern Ireland, with the UK patents office or if it is done in this jurisdiction, it is registered with our patent office. That system will not change after this. Rather, what will happen, if we pass this referendum, is that Ireland will join 17 other EU member states where the patent will be protected. At present, that patent is not protected in those 17 EU member states. There is obviously concern about what is going on North-South but there will be no change to the status quo in that regard. I wish there was but, unfortunately, that was a decision taken by 52% of the UK population some years ago.
]]>The statement for the information of voters is intended to set out the proposal that voters are being asked to vote on. The statement has been drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General. Explaining the subject matter of referendums is a specific function of the Electoral Commission. In recent weeks, we have seen it come to the fore. To expand on the text that has been presented, which was drafted in the view of the McKenna–McCrystal principles, with the Deputy's proposed wording in his amendment would not be appropriate. I have to be guided by that, as he can understand. However, I appreciate that is not the answer he wants to hear. I will be more than happy to engage on the matter further. It is the task of the Referendum Commission, having been funded by the Government, to ensure the subject of the referendum is adequately explained.
Last week, I laid out in the House that I have the good fortune, for what it matters, to have been appointed director of elections for Fine Gael for the referendum. I believe Senator Malcolm Byrne is taking on that role for Fianna Fáil, and other parties might like to appoint someone in due course. We have already held four regional information meetings through the party, working with stakeholders. We will be spending a considerable amount of money informing people and encouraging them not just to vote but also to vote in favour of the proposal. I will be more than happy to open those engagements to people of all political persuasions and none and to make them as open and transparent as possible. As the Deputy might have heard, when we were together in Monksland in Roscommon last week, I highlighted quite clearly to its workers how important the referendum is to their jobs and how important it will be to existing and future patients, particularly given that the company does so much work on orphan drugs, which the Deputy mentioned.
The referendum is a big undertaking. Holding it on the same day as the European elections is good as it will increase the turnout. When people are thinking about wider European debates, they might take this matter into context. I appreciate that does not address the exact point the Deputy made but he will appreciate where I am coming from and what I am bound by. However, I wholeheartedly undertake to honour the commitment I have given. If the Deputy would like to establish a forum or hold a meeting in his part of the world, I will be more than happy to attend, with no political hang-ups or agenda, to address it and to inform and encourage on whatever terms the Deputy deems fit.
]]>On all sides, various important points were raised regarding the benefits a "Yes" vote for participation in the UPC can bring. Those benefits relate to, first, the competitiveness of our small businesses, second, our overall national competitiveness and, third, how participation will enhance the science and research and development agenda. It is also clear how a "Yes" vote will benefit Europe. The unitary patent system supports the development of a single market across Europe for technology by reducing legal fragmentation and administrative burdens. In terms of exports, it will help Irish SMEs to expand trade into Europe once their product has unitary patent protection. As we know, trade is the lifeblood of our small open economy. Less red tape will make it less daunting for micro and small enterprises with no need to deal with multiple national court systems to defend and enforce their patent rights in participating member states.
The referendum, if passed, will boost Ireland's reputation as it will demonstrate to our indigenous innovators, as well as potential foreign investors, that Ireland is a world-leading intellectual property, IP, location for innovation and innovative businesses to establish operations. A first-class IP system is very important for research and development and innovation activity in our pharmaceutical sector, for example, where Ireland is the third largest exporter of pharmaceuticals globally. Ireland's life sciences sector has a global reputation for operational and innovational excellence. There are 110,000 people in Ireland working in life sciences companies supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. In doing so, they help to make and market the medicines and medical devices that improve and save the lives of millions of people at home and around the world. I was struck by the statements on rare diseases that preceded this debate, as well as the related comments last week by Deputy Naughten and others. Ease of access to a local court may also help to further embed the existing research and development activities of multinationals in Ireland. These activities offer good, well-paid and highly skilled jobs. We want our value proposition to remain as attractive as possible and to continue to evolve and expand our ecosystem for innovation, which includes having the most up-to-date patent protections.
As supported by Deputies last week, the broader geographic area created by the unitary patent will boost technology transfer, research and development co-operation and other types of technology-related partnerships and may benefit a variety of potential business partners and intermediaries across the European Single Market. We also may see other benefits in terms of the impact on the legal infrastructure, as participation in the unitary patent system and establishing a local court in Ireland will help to drive intellectual property skills and legal expertise in patent law here, which is important for our innovation-based economy. It may attract and generate a wider pool of professional skills and competencies in intellectual property, including legal services and patent agencies here in Ireland.
The new court system will allow for a consistency of judicial approach in patent case law. Up to now, patent holders had to take enforcement proceedings in individual countries, which can lead to inconsistent outcomes across different jurisdictions. Generating a harmonised body of case law in Europe on patent infringement and validity will significantly enhance the legal certainty and transparency of the patent system, benefitting both innovators and the public at large. It will be an additional option for our inventors and innovators. It will mean Ireland, on top of its existing system, will have a local division of the court in Ireland.
If the referendum is successful and a local court is established, it will have three judges presiding, with at least one of the three having the nationality of the member state hosting the local division. However, the parties may agree to have their case heard by just one legally qualified judge. If the referendum is not passed, our inventors and innovators will have to use the unified patent courts of other member states if they want to protect their property under the new unitary patent system. This would mean greater expense and inconvenience for them. Our colleges and enterprises have nurtured incredible innovators. We should do all we can to ensure they have the supportive ecosystem they need to thrive and succeed.
In October 2022, the administrative committee of the UPC announced the list of 85 UPC judges, comprising 34 legally qualified and 51 technically qualified judges from 13 of the 17 initial UPC participating states. Once Ireland has completed its ratification of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court, Irish candidates will be eligible to apply to the administrative committee for positions. Deputy Stanton raised this issue last week. The court will provide Irish and Ireland-based businesses with faster adjudication timelines and significantly reduce the burden of overseas travel and associated costs for businesses involved in patent disputes.
While I strongly welcome the widespread support for the amendment within the House, I also appreciate that the subject of patents is not an emotive one. Therefore, it will be our collective responsibility to inform voters of the importance of a "Yes" vote. We will need to emphasise how the Unified Patent Court will be good for creating and retaining jobs, attracting foreign direct investment and driving the export potential among Irish enterprises. Irish participation in the new unitary patent system is critical to ensure the Irish intellectual property regime keeps pace with that of other economies and that our businesses have access to the same legal infrastructure and frameworks as their competitors in Europe.
I acknowledge the support this proposal has received not only in this House but outside it as well among the various stakeholders involved in the knowledge economy. We should do all we can to ensure this sensible and beneficial proposal is supported by the people in June. I look forward to the debate on the amendment and any additional comments Deputies may wish to make. I am very grateful to the Deputies who contributed to the debate last week, particularly those who had previously participated in the discussions at the Oireachtas committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Quinlivan. I especially thank Deputy Stanton for clarifying the correct pronunciation of "patent" on this side of the Atlantic. I ask colleagues to support the passage of the Bill. I look forward to bringing it to the Seanad in due course.
]]>