Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
95. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to ensure that the integrity of the National Anthem will be preserved as copyright will end in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57867/12]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question I can confirm that copyright protection in relation to the National Anthem ran out in December 2012. The main purpose of ownership by the State of the copyright to the original version of the National Anthem was to ensure that it was freely available for general use. The situation in this regard has not changed with the expiry of copyright.
In relation to protecting the integrity of the National Anthem my Department will look at the possibility of introducing legislation should it be required to ensure that the National Anthem is not being used in an inappropriate context and without due deference such as to render it an object of scorn or derision.
