Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

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 establishments were, in effect, exempt from the requirement to remunerate authors for the lending of their works. While it is intended to introduce a public lending right in respect of the lending of works in public libraries, the exemption in respect of educational establishments should remain in place if such establishments are not involved in public lending but are in the nature of advancing teaching and research in our schools and universities. Senators might recall that during my Second Stage speech, I flagged my intention to introduce an amendment to this section involving an amendment to section 58, as opposed to its repeal. I hope the amendment will be accepted given that it is intended to continue with the exemption in respect of public lending for educational establishments.