I agree that the Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000, needs to be kept under review to take account of new developments in the media for the generation, storage and transmission of protected materials. I would point out, however, that in adopting technology non-specific language, and in its specific underpinning of protection for digital representations of protected materials, the Act does effectively cater for situations in which works are generated, stored or transmitted in the "new media". This approach is, in general, preferred to more technology-specific options, which, precisely because of their technology-specific nature, are likely to require more frequent updating.
Regarding a possible review of certain criminal provisions of the Act, the present provisions reflect a particular view as to the level and type of protection to which rightsholders are entitled with reference, in particular, to relevant international law (the TRIPs Agreement in particular).
As the Deputy may be aware, this issue was raised in the recent Forfás report – Legislating for Competitive Advantage in e-Business and Information and Communications Technologies. This report contained several proposals, addressed to a number of Ministers, and will require detailed examination in this context.