Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The independent copyright review committee, which was appointed by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, published a report entitled Modernising Copyright in October 2013. The report contains more than 60 recommendations covering a diverse range of copyright issues. Following extensive analysis of the recommendations in the report, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is in the process of developing legislative proposals for consideration by Government.

There is a progressive and evolving framework on copyright at EU and international level. In the EU context, proposals are expected from the European Commission before the end of this year and further proposals are expected in spring 2016.

I am conscious that copyright issues affect several Departments. Officials at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation have been trying to influence the development of EU proposals in the copyright area - for example, in the context of the 2013 EU Commission consultation on copyright modernisation and the Commission's digital single market strategy published on 5 May 2015. Work is being carried out in this area and I will continue to watch it closely.

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