Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 3 May 2011, if the State will consider purchasing the copyright to the national anthem when the copyright runs out in December 2019 or amending the Copyright Act in order that the national anthem is vested in the State and therefore ensuring it cannot be used, abused or misused if the copyright were lost to the State. [10593/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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In response to the Deputy's question, my Department is aware that the copyright to the National Anthem will expire in December 2012. I can assure the Deputy that consideration will be given prior to that date to protect the National Anthem to ensure that is not used in an inappropriate context and without due deference, such as to render it an object of scorn or derision.