Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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430. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress made regarding the siting of a local division of the Unified Patent Court; when it is envisaged that a decision will be taken. [34706/14]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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As the international Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPC) entails the transfer of jurisdiction in respect of certain European patent litigation from the Irish courts to the Unified Patent Court, the issue of Ireland’s participation in the Court is, as the Deputy will be aware, subject in the first instance to the carrying of a Referendum.

The nature of Ireland’s proposed participation in the Court, assuming the Referendum is passed, was initially considered by Government in July 2014 and is expected to be considered further by Government later this month in the wider context of other Referendums that are planned for 2015. Thereafter, an announcement of the Government’s decision on Ireland’s participation in the Court can be expected.