Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I commend the Minister of State on what he is doing because we are trying to address a very difficult issue. Could this instrument have a significant effect on an ISP? ISPs are vital to our future. How might the statutory instrument have an impact on businesses? Will the Minister of State comment on whether a company could use the cost of an injunction to bully an ISP into an action that may not be helpful or expected? From what the Minister of State said, it seems we comply with EU law, yet the courts seem to disagree with what we have on our Statute Book. Will the Minister of State answer these questions to clarify matters?

It should be made crystal clear to every Member that this provision is nothing like the Stop Online Piracy Act in the United States, which is a far more draconian provision. Our measure is trying to achieve the balance the Minister of State is talking about. We must raise these specific issues, which are so important to businesses.

See this speech in context