As there are no amendments on Report Stage, we proceed to Fifth Stage.
Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages.
Bill reported without amendment and received for final consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
I thank Deputies for the significant level of interest shown in contributing to the debate on this important piece of legislation, which provides recognition in statute for a public lending right to be exercised by authors. This interest was in evidence during the extensive debate here on Second Stage and subsequently in the amendments put down on Committee Stage.
Equally, I thank Deputies for the constructive and co-operative spirit they have shown in enabling this legislation to be taken swiftly through the Houses. It is important Ireland comes into compliance with EU law in this area and the passage of this legislation in both Houses safeguards this objective.
I thank the staff of the Bills Office and the Whips' Office for dealing expeditiously with the Bill. I also thank my own staff in the Department. As this is urgent legislation, I am grateful to the House for its prompt passage.
I thank the Minister of State for his comments and associate myself with his message of thanks to the Department and other staff. The Bill will shortly become law when it is signed by the President and we were happy to co-operate with its speedy passage, given the need to do so as we faced prosecution in European courts. I ask the Minister not to waste any time in making the provisions in this Bill a reality by making the necessary regulations, ensuring Irish authors get the royalties they deserve.
I deputise for Deputy Willie Penrose, who took the Bill on behalf of the Labour Party. The area of copyright and intellectual property is complicated and it was very necessary that this piece of legislation be enacted as quickly as possible. I thank the Minister of State and the staff in his Department, the Bills Office and the Whips' Office because complicated pieces of legislation are never easy and take a degree of time to put together, which we all know.
As a result of the measure's urgency, the co-operation of everyone was very important. It will give a degree of comfort to people relying on the legislation for protection. Although we sometimes cannot physically put our hands on something, it can nevertheless be someone's property. This piece of legislation will ensure that protection will be given to people operating in this area. I am very glad to see the legislation going through and I thank the Minister for his courtesy.
Question put and agreed to.
A message will be sent to the Seanad acquainting it that the Dáil has passed the Bill without amendment.