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Irish Times
04-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
TD calls for referendum on joining EU patent court to be held before next summer
The delayed referendum on Ireland joining the European Union's Unified Patent Court (UPC) should be held before next summer, according to Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne . He said Ireland's membership of Europe's unified patent system would 'make life easier' for Irish inventors, content creators and small businesses. The Irish Times reported on Monday that there have been tentative moves within Government to revive the referendum. The vote on Ireland joining the 18 other EU member states that have signed up to the UPC system was originally due to take place in June 2024. READ MORE Mr Byrne, a Wicklow-Wexford TD, was to be Fianna Fáil's director of elections for the referendum. However, the last government decided to defer the UPC vote in the aftermath of the defeat of the Family and Care referendums to allow more time for public engagement on the matter. In recent months the Department of Enterprise has contacted business organisations and Government departments, seeking feedback on the level of engagement taking place on the UPC issue and views on the appropriate timing of a rescheduled vote. The UPC is designed to provide a one-stop shop court for litigation on patents. The court's decisions will be binding on participating EU member states. Business groups have long called for Ireland to join the UPC. The Department of Enterprise said the Government is committed to holding the referendum, but 'the timing remains under consideration'. Mr Byrne urged the Government to commit to a referendum and an 'informed campaign' before next summer. He said: 'For someone who invents something in Ireland to protect that idea or product, they have to seek a patent in every jurisdiction in the European Union and the recognition of the creation is not always enforceable in a uniform way. 'Ireland joining the unified patent system will make that much easier and it will heavily reduce costs and the administrative burden on inventors.' [ Ireland fined €1.54m for delay in writing EU work-life balance directive into law Opens in new window ] Mr Byrne added: 'This is probably not the issue that most people are thinking about but for inventors and businesses it is really important.' Ireland has to vote on it because the Constitution requires a vote for joining such a European structure, he said. 'The decision will mean transferring some judicial sovereignty, but only in the area of patents, to the new court. It has only to do with patents.' In May, Mr Byrne asked Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Dáil if he would consider holding the UPC referendum on the same day as the presidential election this year. Mr Martin said he did not anticipate that happening, but he indicated his support for Ireland joining the UPC. He added: 'We need to prepare properly for when we decide to have a referendum. We have to do the homework and be in a position to convince people of the merits of the case.' [ Ireland is exposed as Maga right attempts to take on Big Tech regulation Opens in new window ]
Irish Times
03-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Moves to revive referendum on joining EU patent court as business groups contacted on timing
There have been tentative moves to revive the delayed referendum on Ireland's participation in the European Union's Unified Patent Court (UPC), with the Government seeking views of business groups on the timing of a rescheduled vote. The referendum on Ireland joining the 18 other EU member states that have signed up to the UPC system was originally pencilled in for June 2024 on the same day as the local and European elections. However, the holding of the UPC referendum was thrown into doubt amid the fallout from the defeat of the family and care referendums three months earlier. Soon afterwards the then-government announced it would be deferring the vote. Peter Burke , then minister for enterprise, said at the time: '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.' READ MORE The UPC is designed to provide a one-stop shop court for litigation on patents. The court's decisions will be binding on participating EU member states. Ireland joining in the UPC has been long called for by business groups and sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry. The Department of Enterprise has contacted business organisations and government departments about the referendum. Records released under the Freedom of Information Act include a letter from senior Department of Enterprise official John Newham to the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (AmCham). The March 28th letter set out how the legislation on the UPC referendum was pending committee and final stages in the Seanad. Mr Newham, the assistant secretary general, wrote that 'once the legislative process has been concluded an order setting a date for the referendum will issue'. He wrote that the timing of any further advancement of the Bill would be subject to a decision by Government and it would decide a referendum date 'in due course'. He noted the last government 'had concluded that a broader public conversation' on the UPC 'was essential before a referendum was held' and he sought feedback 'in order to assess if sufficient engagement is being held on the matter'. Mr Newham asked for information on 'any initiatives undertaken or planned to assist public understanding of this critical issue'. He also sought 'views on the appropriate timing of a referendum'. Enterprise Ireland , IDA Ireland and Research Ireland were among government agencies contacted by the department as it sought feedback on public awareness of the UPC referendum. The Department of Enterprise confirmed that other organisations contacted included Chambers Ireland , Ibec , the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and BioPharmaChem Ireland, all of which, like AmCham sent responses. AmCham, which represents US companies in Ireland, responded on April 30th, saying: 'It is of the utmost importance that an informed discussion occurs to generate public engagement with the topic.' It said it would work with its members to advance discussion and consideration of the UPC. AmCham said a member survey from 2024 showed that 41 per cent of respondents supported Ireland joining the UPC and 58 per cent were neutral on the matter. The organisation said it would be holding a webinar 'outlining the impact for Ireland, with key expert and member perspectives' and it would also be developing a fact sheet on the UPC for dissemination among members. In response to queries AmCham told The Irish Times: 'While we continue to work with members on this topic, a webinar has not taken place.' It said that the timing of the referendum was 'a matter for Government'. A Department of Enterprise statement said: 'While the Government remains committed to holding the referendum, the timing remains under consideration at this juncture.'
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Government's National Hub strategy delayed
A key part of the Government's national remote working strategy, which was unveiled in 2021, has been delayed by more than two years but is expected to be finalised and published later this year, the Department of Enterprise has said. The National Hub strategy, which the then-enterprise minister Leo Varadkar said would bring various schemes and policies together to develop the existing network of remote working hubs around the country, was slated for delivery in late 2023. However, according to an update from the Department published on Thursday, the strategy remains in development and is now expected to be published in the second half of 2025. The scheme is one of nine initiatives outlined in the Government's White Paper on enterprise 2022-2030 that has been delayed, according to a departmental update published on Thursday. READ MORE Overall, the department said that more than 90 per cent of the activities across 40 strategic initiatives in the White Paper have been delivered or are on track to be completed this year. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said Thursday's report, the fourth and final update on the implementation plan, sets the stage for the development of the 2035 plan. [ Return-to-office edicts aren't always what they seem Opens in new window ] 'This fourth update report marks the completion of the implementation period for the White Paper on enterprise and reflects two years of transformative progress for Irish enterprise, driven by innovation, sustainability and regional growth,' he said. 'Over 90 per cent of planned activities are delivered or on track, with major achievements in digitalisation, offshore wind and start-up support. As we move toward Enterprise 2035, I will continue to build on this momentum to shape a resilient and competitive future for Ireland.' How the wealthy are buying up land to avoid inheritance tax Listen | 22:03 Among other things, the Department said that 38 of the 40 actions outlined in the 2022 White Paper relating to the transition to net zero are now under way. The Government said the value of exports from Enterprise Ireland companies stood at €34.6 billion last year, exceeding the White Paper's target of €32 billion. 'It is excellent to see the progress that has been made across Government in realising the ambitions and objectives set out in the White Paper on Enterprise,' said Minister Burke . 'This marks a period of sustained success for Irish enterprise, built on sustainability, innovation and productivity.'
Irish Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Department of Enterprise facing €38m bill due to grant classification issue
The Department of Enterprise is facing a bill of up to €38 million as a 'reclassification issue' means that as many as 6,000 businesses could be eligible for additional payments under two SME grants . Minister of Enterprise Peter Burke was warned that the number of SMEs eligible for additional payments could be even higher than the estimates. The issue stems from a number of hospitality, retail or beauty businesses incorrectly categorising themselves in their applications for the Government's Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant. As part of the application for the first round of the grant, businesses were asked to self-declare their business type, but SMEs from all sectors were eligible for the grant. The second round of the grant, however, 'specifically targeted businesses in the retail, hospitality and beauty sectors'. As a result of the classification issue, some businesses from these sectors were not eligible for the second round of the ICOB grant. READ MORE Receiving the latter ICOB round was part of the eligibility requirement for the Power Up grant launched as part of Budget 2025. Thus, these eligible businesses missed out on two rounds of funding. More than €400 million was paid to SMEs in 2024 under the ICOB and Power Up grants, which the department described as 'very successful'. Based on an analysis by the department in a briefing document given to the Minister, it is 'anticipated that up to 6,000 businesses could be eligible for a second payment under ICOB and the Power Up grant as a consequence of the reclassification, with an estimated associated grant and administration cost of €38 million'. However, officials in the department warned Mr Burke that 'there is potential for the actual number of reclassifications to be higher'. The Minister was informed that the cost of the appeals process will be met by 'savings identified within the department's capital allocation' or with an additional budgetary allocation if 'sufficient savings cannot be identified'. In a statement to The Irish Times, a spokesperson for the department said that 'following the launch of the Power Up grant the department became aware of issues in relation to businesses who misclassified their business sector and subsequently became ineligible for the grants'. In order to rectify the 'reclassification issue', the department is set to open an appeal process for businesses affected with the process that will be administered by local authorities. This appeal process has not formally opened yet, but the department said it intended to open the appeals process 'as soon as possible' and that local authorities would contact the businesses eligible to appeal their sectoral classification. Businesses which did not receive the first ICOB grant will not be eligible to apply under the scheme, the department told the Minister, and the criteria for the scheme remains the same. The eligibility classification and appeal decisions will be made by the local authorities. Under the ICOB, businesses received a proportion of their 2023 commercial rates bill back in the form of a grant as part of a €257 million budget. The Power Up grant was a €4,000 payment to a limited set of sectors with a budget of €170 million.
Irish Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on AI and Ireland: the future will not wait
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept confined to Silicon Valley or science fiction. It is here, now, reshaping economies, transforming industries and prompting governments to rethink everything from education and employment to ethics and regulation. The question Ireland must urgently confront is whether it is truly prepared for the scale and speed of change AI is set to unleash. There are reasons both for cautious optimism and concern. Ireland has long positioned itself as a European technology hub, hosting the headquarters of many of the world's leading tech firms. Government agencies are actively courting AI investment. Research centres in Irish universities are leaders in developing cutting-edge AI applications. The recent launch of an AI Skills programme by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment signals a growing recognition of the need to upskill the workforce. But the evidence of the last decade also suggests that Irish regulators struggle to come to terms with the challenges posed by US tech companies which are not slow to wield their considerable political influence. The establishment of an Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, which met for the first time this week, marks a step in deepening political and legislative engagement with the issue. The committee has the potential to initiate a broader public and legislative debate on AI policy that balances innovation with the safeguarding of democratic values and public interest. But for this to succeed, it will need to act in constructive coordination with education, enterprise and civil society. Because readiness is about more than strategy documents, it must reach into the heart of how we educate, train, and govern. Schools, for example, are already grappling with how to prepare students for a new world in which traditional educational metrics are no longer credible. The reformed Leaving Certificate, with its increased emphasis on project work, now faces an unexpected challenge: how to assess students fairly in a world where generative AI can produce plausible essays and design projects at the click of a button. READ MORE Equally urgent are the labour market implications. AI is set to displace roles in sectors ranging from transport and customer support to software development and legal services. Without a serious, joined-up national response, Ireland could face widening inequality, social dislocation and a growing digital divide. Nimble policymaking and innovative thinking are imperative. But this moment also requires political will and public investment. AI is not just a technological leap. It is a societal transformation. If Ireland is to thrive in this new age, it must act with speed, coherence and purpose. The future will not wait.
