Vol. 518 No. 5
32 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional resources she will make available to the Office of the Controller of Patents, Designs and Trademarks as a result of the imminent passing into law of the Copyright and Related Rights Bill, 1999; the way in which these additional resources will be made available and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11992/00]
My Department and the controller have initiated discussions on the resource implications of the Copyright and Related Rights Bill, 1999, for the Patents Office, and I have written to the controller seeking his views in the matter. I am aware of the concern of Deputies from all sides of the House to ensure that any additional resources which may be needed by the Patents Office to discharge additional duties assigned to it under the new legislation in an efficient and effective manner are provided. I have directed my Department to prepare a general briefing on this question, which will be circulated to members of the Select Committee on Enterprise and Small Business in advance of the Report Stage of the Bill.
