Vol. 459 No. 1
102 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by creators of Irish music in the collection of royalties by their collecting society, the Irish Music Rights Organisation, due to the alleged failure by a large number of public performance users to licence their venues for such performances. [17916/95]
I am aware of the situation that the Deputy refers to in her question and my Department is in regular contact with IMRO, representing the rights holders, and IMUC, representing the music users, concerning this matter.
The issues of collection of royalties, public performance and licences permitting same have long been a bone of contention in relation to copyright law in almost every jurisdiction in the world. They are central elements of the review of copyright being undertaken by the Intellectual Property Unit of my Department and will be addressed specifically in the new copyright Bill.
In this respect we are, of course, bound by our international obligations and EU Directives but will endeavour in the new Bill to be equitable to all concerned.
