Results 281-300 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: Sections 8 and 12, as amended on Committee Stage, provide an exemption for educational establishments from the provisions for public lending. This exemption provides continuity because educational establishments were already exempt under the 2000 Act. It is necessary to ensure that our schools, colleges and universities continue as rich sources of learning and research unfettered by any...

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: I thank Senator Alex White especially for his interest in the legislation. I and my officials have noted the views he has expressed. We will return to the Bill in the Dáil. I thank him and all the other Senators for their contributions. It is important that Ireland comes into compliance with the EU directives or there will be a large fine to pay. It is also important for authors to...

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: There are two other airports.

Standards in Public Office. (10 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: And with 40% of the population.

Control of Exports Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (4 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: It is legal now.

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: I am advised that the wording in the Bill as published is clearer and, accordingly, I do not propose to accept this amendment.

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: The second amendment to this section proposes the inclusion of a new subsection (4) on commencement provisions and suggests, in effect, that the Act should not come into effect until such time as the public lending remuneration scheme is in place. It is, however, crucial that this legislation comes into effect upon enactment. As was made clear from the European Court of Justice decision...

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: We are in breach of the EU regulation and directive. That was ruled on in the European Court of Justice in January and we must be in compliance with that. I have been advised that what we are doing leaves the libraries in the same position in which they are today and that they will not be liable.

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: I take the Senator's point about the difference but it is something we can examine. I can ask the parliamentary draftspeople to clarify that position.

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: I ask Senator Norris to withdraw the accusation that the Chair was got at. The Government did not discuss this matter with the Chair.

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: On Senator Norris's question on whether the scheme will be implemented, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is putting through the legislation and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for the operation of the scheme. It is preparing regulations at present and intends the scheme to be in operation from January 2009.

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: That is its intention and it is our intention that it will operable——

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: On amendment No. 4, it is the intention of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to establish an advisory committee representing all stakeholders involved, including authors, editors and illustrators, to advise on policy and the operation of the scheme. This undertaking has already been made publicly by the Minister. The Minister contends there is a need to...

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: I will make the views of Senators Norris and Ross known to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Some of the insinuations made by Senator Ross about people who have been appointed to boards by all parties over the years were totally overboard.

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: The people in question, who were well-qualified, have done their duties and I am sure those who are appointed to this board will do likewise.

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: I disagree with the Senator.

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: Definitely.

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: This Bill, as initiated, proposes to repeal section 58 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 in its entirety. Since the Bill was published, I have received and reviewed observations about the proposal. The commission took particular exception to the provision in section 58 that under the section and any statutory instrument made under it, all public libraries and educational...

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: I thank Senator Alex White for raising this matter. On a point of clarification, my advice indicates that the phraseology in the Government amendment is more succinct in that the term, "educational establishment", is already defined in section 2(1) of the principal Act. An order has been made under that section identifying the establishments covered by this definition. With regard to the...

Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2007)

Michael Ahern: This provision provides a statutory basis for An Chomhairle Leabharlanna to administer a public lending remuneration scheme on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.