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

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

There is a progressive and evolving framework on copyright at EU and international levels. In the EU copyright context there are imminent proposals expected from the European Commission before the end of this year and a further set of proposals is expected in spring 2016. Officials from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation have been active in seeking to influence the development of EU proposals in the copyright area, for example, in the context of the Commission's digital Single Market strategy which was published on 5 May 2015.

Work is ongoing in this area. We will watch it closely and continue to work with other Departments on this matter.

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