The Minister has stated that he [...]]]> Sean Sherlock, Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Ireland, has announced he intends to enact a radical new law that could result in restricted access to websites in Ireland, without a vote in the Oireachtas. The intention is to sign a statutory instrument into law without the appropriate debate.

The Minister has stated that he is obliged to introduce the legislation to comply with EU law.

There are many reasons to be concerned about this proposal, not least the lack of publication of the wording of the enactment, but the one area we’ll draw attention to is the effect it could have on Ireland’s reputation as a place to set up technology businesses.

Is the Minister for Enterprise really going to implement a new law that will make companies considering a move into Ireland hesitate. The proposal is so vague that it will leave investors unclear as to how it might affect them.

Just when Ireland is struggling to find ways to encourage growth, a confusing new law is introduced that puts potential barriers in the way.

A campaign opposing the enactment has been launched at Stop SOPA Ireland, and there’s also some good background information at TJ McIntyre – IT Law in Ireland.

The view here is that the Minister should halt this process, and engage in a much broader debate before posing any risk to Irish economic development. US lawmakers recently saw the light and reversed their decision to introduce similar legislation, and an under-the-radar rushed approach, without proper discourse with all the relevant stakeholders, would be a mistake for Ireland.
 

R E G U L A T I O N S entitled European Union (Copyright and Related Rights) Regulations 2012

To be made by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I, _____________, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972 (No. 27 of 1972) and for the purpose of giving further effect to Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 O.J. No. L. 167, 22.6.2001, p.10., hereby make the following regulations:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the European Union (Copyright and Related Rights) Regulations 2012.

2. The Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 (No. 28 of 2000) is amended –

(a) in section 40, by inserting the following subsection after subsection (5):

“(5A) (a) The owner of the copyright in a work may, in respect of that work, apply to the High Court for an injunction against an intermediary to whom paragraph 3 of Article 8 of Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 200111 O.J. No. L. 167, 22.6.2001, p.10. on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society applies.

(b) In considering an application for an injunction under this subsection, the court shall have due regard to the rights of any person likely to be affected by virtue of the grant of any such injunction and the court shall give such directions (including, where appropriate, a direction requiring a person be notified of the application) as the court considers appropriate in all of the circumstances.”, and

(b) in section 205, by inserting the following subsection after subsection (9):

“(9A) (a) The rightsowner of any right conferred by Parts III and IV may, in respect of that right, apply to the High Court for an injunction against an intermediary to whom paragraph 3 of Article 8 of Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 200111 O.J. No. L. 167, 22.6.2001, p.10. on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society applies.

(b) In considering an application for an injunction under this subsection, the court shall have due regard to the rights of any person likely to be affected by virtue of the grant of any such injunction and the court shall grant such directions (including, where appropriate, a direction requiring a person to be notified of the application) as the court considers appropriate in all the circumstances.”.

GIVEN under my Official Seal, ____ ________ 2012. _________________________ Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

This includes excellence in [...]]]> Congratulations to Michael D Higgins, 9th President of Ireland, and a man who will continue to bring vision, integrity and honour to the highest office of the state.
 
 

 
 
“The President is Ireland’s face to the outside world, and should highlight the best on which our international reputation is built.

This includes excellence in culture and the arts, creativity in business, pride in our heritage, respect earned through our record in humanitarian work and in peacekeeping, and the important contributions and connections made by our diaspora in so many countries.

A priority of my Presidency will be to strengthen and deepen all strands of our international reputation. I believe that being Irish in the world is something we should all be proud of.

Another priority will be the strengthening of Ireland’s connection with its wide diaspora.

As President, I would wish to reach out to all sections and all generations of the Irish abroad, particularly those young people who have recently left.

Wherever they make their new lives, be it Manchester, Toronto, Beijing or Buenos Aires, we must, I believe, emphasise to them the important role that they can still play, even while abroad, in contributing to the cultural, economic and social fabric of Ireland – inviting them to maintain an active and constructive connection with Ireland. In this regard, the building of stronger networks in all countries where the Irish assemble is of critical importance.

As President, I would hope to be Patron of these emerging networks and believe they can not only serve as valuable and necessary support mechanisms for the Irish abroad, but also open up opportunities to strengthen new employment projects in Ireland and improve access to international markets for Irish companies, including in emerging economies such as China, India or Brazil.

Representing ourselves abroad in our best sense means celebrating all that makes Ireland unique and in that sense I will also be proud to promote the Irish language as a living, vibrant and beautifully expressive language.”

‘it is time for our diaspora to re-connect with Ireland in a more formalised and forceful way and, in partnership with us here, to develop strategies which can bring tangible benefits to the economic and social fabric of the nation in the [...]]]> Michael D Higgins, Labour Party candidate for the Irish Presidency, 1st May 2011…

‘it is time for our diaspora to re-connect with Ireland in a more formalised and forceful way and, in partnership with us here, to develop strategies which can bring tangible benefits to the economic and social fabric of the nation in the immediate years ahead.‘

Emigration was a hot topic leading up to the last general election, and many politicians spoke with passion about its impact on families and their lives, and the lack of political representation for those who leave.

Here’s a reminder of Fine Gaels position on electoral reform from Simon Coveney (Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food) in February 2011…

 
Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore was also reported earlier this year to have put forward an amendment to the 1993 Presidential Act that would give emigrants the right to vote for up to 15 years in presidential elections.

Sinn Fein have recently repeated the call for presidential voting rights for all Irish citizens, and it’s hard to see the government resisting given their stated commitment and desire to implement it anyway. Failure to do so would be a withdrawal from the undertaking made to the ten hundred people that depart Ireland every week, and a reminder to their familes that once your loved ones go it remains a case of out of sight, out of mind.

So, let’s see that partnership develop, and let’s do it by involving our citizens abroad in the national discussion in a fair and equal way.

It sets out a series of objectives for Irelands future, a quick summary of the most relevant to here as follows:

Michael Ryan is an Irish emigrant living in the UK, and he is running as an independent candidate in the Irish General Election. He left the [...]]]> General Election 2011 – Dublin Mid West

One argument used against emigrant voting rights is the misconception that the Irish lose interest in domestic politics when we leave.

Michael Ryan is an Irish emigrant living in the UK, and he is running as an independent candidate in the Irish General Election. He left the country 15 years ago and has been travelling back to Ireland every weekend for the last three years.

Having lived abroad all his working life he shares the belief that ‘the Irish Diaspora needs a voice in Irish politics in order to promote their greater involvement in helping Ireland through its current crisis’.
 
Michael has five key objectives in his manifesto:

• Referendum to determine an appropriate strategy to tackle the Financial Crisis
• Reduce the number of TDs by 25%
• Make Dail pensions only payable at retirement age
• Encourage emigrants to take an active part in Ireland’s future by giving them the vote
• Create a national volunteering scheme that enables people to improve Ireland’s fortunes

His candidacy is a timely reminder that Irish emigrants are keen to reconnect with Irish politics, and it reinforces the message that the diaspora is a willing and able part of the Irish nation.

Here’s his detailed Election Manifesto and if you’re in the Dublin Mid-West constituency, or simply interested in what he has to say, you should have a read.

Well done to Michael for running and we wish him well on election day.

Associated articles:
The Irish Times
The Journal.ie

Update: 21/2/11 – Michael on RTE : The Frontline…