Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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98. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied that a sufficient window for public consultation was allowed in the run-up to the transposition of the EU trade secrets directive; and if further public consultation or review will be undertaken following the coming into force of SI No. 188 of 2018. [30358/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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My Department engaged in two public consultations on the Trade Secrets Directive; in 2014 on the Commission's initial proposal and subsequently in 2017 post adoption of the Directive and in the lead up to the commencement of work on its transposition.  Both consultations were available on my Department's website and were also directly addressed to stakeholders including the Department's enterprise agencies, business representative bodies, the legal profession and other relevant Government Departments.  Both consultations elicited few responses. 

I have no plans for a further consultation on this Directive or the implementing SI.  However under the Directive the European Union Intellectual Property Office is required to prepare an initial report on the litigation trends regarding the unlawful acquisition, use or disclosure of trade secrets pursuant to the Directive by 9 June 2021.  By 9 June 2022 the Commission is required to draw up an intermediate report on the application of the Directive for submission to the European Parliament and the Council.  By 9 June 2026 the Commission is required to carry out an evaluation of the impact of the Directive and report on same to the European Parliament and Council.