Senator Daly to chair Seanad Committee on national anthem
KERRY Senator Mark Daly is due to act as coordinator of a Seanad Éireann public consultation on the national anthem Amhrán na bhFiann in 2017.
Senator Daly – Fianna Fáil’s Seanad Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, the Irish Overseas and Diaspora – said the basis of the consultation comes from a recent change to the copyright of both the music and lyrics – in Irish and English – of the national anthem.
“They’re out of copyright since 2012, and it’s imperative that rules and guidelines are put in place to protect Amhrán na bhFiann,” he said.
“The lack of strict copyright for the national anthem has left an important state symbol exposed.” Senator Daly explained to
The Kerryman that Seanad Éireann will accept public submissions on the treatment of the anthem over a period of six to eight weeks.
A Seanad committee will then meet later this year to discuss the matters, and will invite some of the parties who make submissions to join the discussion.
Senator Daly told The Kerryman that a timetable for the consultation will be agreed upon in Seanad Éireann later this month.
The consultation stems from summer 2016’s National Anthem Protection of Copyright and Related Rights Bill, which was introduced by Senator Daly.
“The purpose of this initiative is to invite submissions from interested parties or citizens to consider the most appropriate way for the State to treat the National Anthem,” he said.
“Other countries have ensured that their national anthems continue to be protected by copyright, and it’s important that we take similar measures to protect Amhrán na bhFiann,” the Kerry Senator said.