David Norris (Independent)

Senator Cassidy's speech was the most impassioned I have heard him make in the Seanad for some time. It made me wonder if I was on the right side of the House because I do not always agree with him.

I have been approached by various interests in this area and I believe there is a balance of rights to be achieved because there is an entire generation of young people who believe, rightly or wrongly, with or without legal support, they have developed an entitlement to free downloading. That is embedded in our culture. There will be a public relations difficulty in selling whatever agreement is reached and one must be aware of the interests of young people. That is what I would say is the establishment of apparent rights on the ground. The facts are stark. The majority of young people - 675,000 in the space of a year - are engaged in this practice. That is an enormous number of people and therefore this matter must be addressed without alienating an entire section of our community.

On the other hand, the arguments that have been made here are very good. I have been told by a person directly involved in this area that, for example, U2's first album bombed and without the support of the record industry they would not be in the position they are in now.