Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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355. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of legislation for a referendum on Ireland’s membership of the European Unified Patent Court system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36981/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill was initiated before Dáil Éireann on 29th February 2024, completing its passage through all stages on the 6th March 2024. Following dissolution of the 33rd Dáil and the formation of a new Government in December 2024 the Bill was reinstated to the Order Paper on motion before Seanad Éireann on 19th February 2025 where it is currently at Committee Stage.

Ratification of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court in Ireland requires a constitutional amendment to be passed by the people. While a referendum was initially scheduled to be held alongside Local and European Elections in June 2024, a decision was made to defer the referendum to facilitate greater public discourse and to encourage informed debate on Ireland’s joining of the Unitary Patent system. The timing of any future referendum on Ireland's membership of the European Unified patent Court system is yet to be decided by the Government.