Vol. 407 No. 7
1 Mr. Bell asked the Taoiseach whether, in relation to Irish copyright legislation, any prosecutions have been taken by the National Library of Ireland within the last ten years; the outcome of such prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under section 56 of the Copyright Act, 1963, the publisher of any book first published in the State must, within one month after publication, deliver a copy of it to the authorities of certain libraries, including the National Library of Ireland. Because of the co-operative attitude of publishers, the Director of the National Library has not considered it necessary to initiate any prosecutions in the last ten years.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce is currently reviewing certain aspects of the copyright law and such review will include an examination of what improvements might be made in the existing provisions with a view to creating greater deterrents against copyright offences. Any particular observations which the Director of the National Library has in this context will be brought to the attention of the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
Questions Nos. 2 to 6, inclusive, in the name of Deputy John Bruton, have been postponed.
