Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I welcome this Bill. I am aware that today's debate is under a time constraint but I will make a more lengthy contribution at the next stage. The intellectual property rights of citizens are sacrosanct. I have been closely associated with this industry for more than 30 years and know that we are viewed, throughout the world, as a country that can be relied and depended on. Most of Europe has examined our last copyright Bill, which admittedly took a long time to pass through both Houses. Certainly with regard to the software industry, Ireland is viewed as a nation that can be trusted.

I commend the good work done in our libraries. The library system was often neglected at local authority level when budgets and yearly reviews of estimates were being drawn up. Thankfully, that has changed now. The local libraries, which are now almost one-stop shops, have enhanced the country. Now the people of Ireland can reap the benefits of the expertise, creativity and innovation of our writers.

I wish to share my time with Senators Boyle and Leyden.