Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank all Deputies for their engagement and comments on Second Stage of this Bill. I am delighted to see the aims of the Bill are not opposed and are supported. I reiterate what I said earlier about the importance of this Bill to ensure Ireland is fully compliant with EU and international law. The Bill sets out a new framework and process for the agreement of the division of royalties between music, performers and producers. That is the scope. It extends applications to nationals outside the EEA who are party to the international copyright treaties and grants the function for final arbitration on disputes to the Circuit Court. It also enhances protections. For those who say what we are doing is ill-thought-out, at the core of this Bill is enhancing protection for both parties - performers and producers. It is to ensure there is a well-functioning legal framework in place to support those employed in the creative sector - more than 80,000 people who contribute significantly economically with creativity and innovation - in the future.

I will address some of the areas raised. I am sure we will follow up on Committee Stage. To respond to Deputy Ó Snodaigh, the general scheme was published on the Department's website in November 2024. I acknowledge the delay in the publication of the Bill. In future, it needs to be accepted that there should be ample time for Deputies to consider the Bill. It was only published last Monday. The general scheme was also sent to all stakeholders over seven months ago. That sets out the intended needs in the Bill. The two parties, the performers and producers, were contacted by the Department. Officials and I are available to discuss any issues they may wish to raise or are affected by in the sections which are now being included in the Copyright Act. Legal advice was sought. We carefully considered this Bill with the Office of the Attorney General. It was highlighted that the controller of the intellectual property is recognised as not having the necessary judicial competencies to exercise the function conferred on him by the current section 208 of the Copyright Act. We are strengthening that. The Bill also encourages both parties to reach agreement outside court. To say we want to contribute to the logjams in the courts is not the case. In that instance, there would be a default 50:50 split, which is the norm in other member states of the European zone. The Department also consulted relevant Ministers across Government, including the Department of justice with regard to the measures included.

On the issue raised about platforms, that will be considered in the context of the review of the European Commission and the Digital Services Act. Collective action is also possible in Ireland. Nothing prevents parties from negotiating and agreeing between them. As a Government, we are introducing an action plan on collective bargaining. The questions raised have been constructive, which I welcome. We have noted the areas raised and we look forward to engaging with Deputies further in regard to this important legislation on the various Stages of the legislative process.

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