Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for clarifying that the members of the committee are appointed on an annual basis. I asked a specific question about a member of the committee who has worked for P.J. Carroll and Company Limited. Can the witnesses tell me how he became a member of the committee? Does his previous role concern them? They suggested in their submission that Ireland is proposing to extinguish intellectual property rights. I have put it to them that I feel we are proposing to limit or restrict such rights in the same way we did when we prohibited billboard advertising and introduced health warnings. I do not believe we are trying to extinguish those rights. I agree with the witnesses that we should look at intellectual property rights. As a committee, we have a role in examining every aspect and angle of this issue. It is great to have the witnesses here. However, I do not agree with the contention that this measure would extinguish intellectual property rights. What aspects of this measure constitute the extinguishing of these rights, when previous initiatives have merely limited or restricted them?