Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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281. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 17 February 2021, the details of the negotiations between organisations (details supplied) to achieve a favourable rate; and if negotiations were undertaken between the organisation and any other music distribution companies for the music industry stimulus package. [11688/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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282. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the in-house music distribution project run by an organisation (details supplied) was overlooked in favour of another organisation as the chosen music distribution service for the music industry stimulus package; and the difference between the service offered by organisations. [11689/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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296. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason successful applicants to the music industry support package were not permitted to select their own music distribution company on an individual basis; and the reason no consultation was undertaken with musicians to ensure a decision on distribution was based on their needs and input. [11967/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 281, 282 and 296 together.

Further to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 17 February 2021, I understand that the first organisation to which the Deputy refers entered into negotiations on music distribution with the second organisation on the basis that it is the only company of its kind in Ireland available to the independent music sector. It directly delivers music (in the correct format) into music libraries of radio stations and all other media contacts in Ireland as well as delivering it directly to a database of music industry professionals.

The first organisation negotiated a favourable reduced rate with the second organisation which could be availed of by all successful applicants of the album release scheme to ensure wide distribution of the supported album releases. Awardees may opt not to use the second organisation if they so wish.

A third organisation to which the Deputy refers to in Question No. 282 is a discovery music portal built and owned by the first organisation where artists can create electronic press kits, and it can be accessed by artists, fans and industry professionals in Ireland and abroad. That organisation is a platform and does not offer an active service such as that provided by the second organisation.