75 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her position in relation to the Terms of Protection for Performers on a Sound Recording which has been brought forward at EU level by Commissioner McCreevy and which is being supported by the rapporteur of the legal affairs committee, which would see the terms of protection for Irish performers in a sound recording extended from 50 years to the level of protection afforded to US artists of 95 years; if she will support this proposal at EU level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7250/09]

The proposal to amend Directive 2006/116/EC on the term of protection of copyright and related rights in respect of performers, put forward by the European Commission, is currently being discussed in the EU Council Working Party on Intellectual Property (Copyright) which is being attended by my Department. Arising out of these discussions, a number of suggested changes to what was originally proposed, particularly in relation to the scope and length of extended protection and other elements of the proposed initiative, have been put forward by the current and previous EU Presidencies.

Accordingly, we do not, at this stage, have a final position in relation to whatever may be the final proposition for amending, or otherwise, the Directive concerned. My Department, however, are continuing consultations with interested parties in this area and are, in fact, meeting with Irish Music Intellectual Rights [IMIR], which includes the representative body for Irish performers, to discuss this and other issues very shortly.