John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators. As I have said, it is a very complicated and complex Bill. As I previously mentioned, following meaningful engagement with a number of stakeholders who raised concerns around the definition with officials from my Department, I would ask for the support of Members to bring forward these amendments with the intention of clarifying the issue of the sound recordings that are not covered to ensure that the rightholder's rights are protected. By the way, if the amendment is accepted it does not hold up passage of the Bill by any stretch of the imagination. It will not slow down the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas. We have taken all the legal advice we can take. We have met as many stakeholders as possible and anybody who wanted to meet us. We have made our experts available to Members, whom I know were delighted with it. I do not know what more I can say. I think both amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are an integral part and it is essential that they be included in the Bill.

In case there is a worry that by including these amendments in the Bill, it would somehow slow down the Bill, that will not be the case. If they are accepted on Report Stage, it will not slow down the passage of the Bill.