Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he intends to implement the draft statutory instrument which he published for consultation in June 2011 requiring Internet service providers to act reasonably to preclude customers from copyright theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36986/11]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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The public consultation process referred to attracted more than 50 submissions from interested parties on this subject. Several of these submissions contained legal arguments in regard to the issue as well as comments in respect of the draft statutory instrument which was published as part of the consultation process. These comments were forwarded by my Department to the Office of the Attorney General for consideration.

I consider that there is further work to be done on the issue between my Department and the Office of the Attorney General and I want to give this matter the fullest consideration. It is an issue on which there is interaction between rights holders, the internet service providers (ISPS) and the end users, of whom there are millions. We must ensure that we get the balance right and that the legislation is correct in this area.