June referendum in doubt amid Coalition fears

• Published date: 12 April 2024
• Author: CORMAC McQUINN
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

There is doubt over whether the referendum on the Unified Patent Court (UPC) will go ahead in June as planned amid the continued fallout from the heavily defeated family and care referendums last month

There are strong indications that the vote will be postponed with the Government due to make a final decision on how it will proceed next week.

It is understood that “lessons learned” from the unsuccessful referendums have been part of the considerations on whether the UPC referendum takes place on the earmarked date of June 7th, the same day as the local and European elections.

One source said enthusiasm for holding the referendum is “less than stellar” while another said there is a “reluctance” to go ahead with it in June given the outcome of the referendums in March.

Another Government insider said the decision on the UPC referendum proceeding or not has not yet been taken but highlighted how the required legislation has not yet been passed the Oireachtas.

It is currently at committee stage in the Seanad.

The Cabinet is expected to decide next week on whether to proceed with the referendum in June.

The UPC is designed to provide a one-stop shop for litigation on patents whose decisions will be binding on participating European Union member states.

A Yes vote in a referendum would mean Irish patents would be valid...