Minister of Enterprise Peter Burke has indicated that the Government has decided to postpone the vote on the EU’s Unified Patent Court, reports RTE.
The referendum was scheduled for June 7, which also happens to be the day of the municipal and European elections.
“While the Government continues to believe that joining the UPC is essential and that the referendum should be pursued, it is clear to me that more time is needed for public discourse and engagement on the matter to help inform the debate,” Mr Burke said in a statemen, reports RTE.
“The June elections will give rise to diverse issues and campaigns involving local and European candidates, which may crowd out a debate on the Patent Court,” reports RTE.
“Feedback suggests that many people are unfamiliar with the Patent Court and there is not a significant level of awareness among the electorate ahead of the proposed referendum,” he added, reports RTE.
While travelling to the Cabinet meeting this morning, Mr. Burke stated that, in all likelihood, the patent referendum will need to be postponed. He cited the Family and Care referendums, which were held last month, as examples of how long it took to tell the people.
The Unified Patent Agreement will be beneficial for industry, according to Finance Spokesperson Ged Nash, despite the Labour Party criticising Mr. Burke for bringing the letter before Cabinet, reports RTE.
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