The incoming chairwoman of the Irish Software Association (ISA), Bernie Cullinane, has pledged to support the introduction of a proposed European Union directive on software patents.

She also warned members of the European parliament against blocking the controversial new directive or weakening it by proposing a host of amendments.

Ms Cullinane, a former chief operating officer of the Irish company Performix, said European firms needed to protect their intellectual property in a similar manner to the way US firms can.

"We don't want any further dilution of the current situation on patents," she said in an interview with The Irish Times following her ratification as chairwoman of the ISA last night.

"We do need to look at how the US is developing its software industry and a removal of the patent could weaken venture capitalists' appetites for investing in new innovative companies."

The proposed introduction of a directive on software patents for the EU has been delayed several times due to a bitter debate between proponents of open source standards and those favouring proprietary software.

The European Commission proposed introducing patents to protect software in 2002 following similar moves by the US a few years earlier. But the parliament has so far opposed the measure, arguing that it could stifle innovation and tighten the grip of firms such as Microsoft.

Parliamentarians are currently studying the patent directive and are expected to finally decide on whether to support the directive or propose new amendments.

Last month the internal market commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, said that if MEPs rejected the directive again he would not propose a new one.

"You can of course reject or substantially amend the proposal... The ball is in your court. I'm sure that you will exercise your rights and your judgement wisely," added Mr McCreevy.

Ireland is among the strongest advocates of an EU software patent, which big computer firms say is necessary to create legal clarity within the industry.

Ms Cullinane said the ISA would focus on helping Irish firms to gain greater scale to enable them to compete with growing competition from China and India.

It will also work with Government to promote the interests of the software industry and lobby for changes to taxation to incentivise the industry, she said.