Mr. Gerry O'Brien:

On Deputy Ó Snodaigh's point on the different pieces of legislation, copyright is pervasive within society. It underpins commercialism. I will read from the guidelines from the Department of enterprise:

Where commercially exploitable IP arises as a result of State funding for research and development [so just change for "cultural development"], the opportunity shall be taken to commercialise the IP in all possible fields, applications and territories where it is consistent with achieving Ireland’s objectives.

The purpose of this commercialisation, from Ireland’s point of view, is to maximise the economic and societal benefits and returns to Ireland from its public investment in research.

The primary objective of commercialisation is the creation of sustainable jobs in Ireland, this is the most important form of economic and societal benefit.

It goes on to say that where no sustainable jobs are created, the IP should attract inward revenue streams. Therefore, the IP has to be anchored in this country, particularly in broadcasting. Broadcasting must enshrine within it that any public funding that goes into the commercial sector is fully compliant with the legislation of the copyright Act and the European copyright directive.