The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (The Ivors Academy)

Lobbying Organisation The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors

Date published 17 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Arts

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Private Members motion in Dáil on the Protection of Copyright of Irish artists in the era of AI

Intended results Passing of the Sinn Féin Private Members Dáil motion on the Protection of Irish artists in the era of AI

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Catherine Martin

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Catherine Martin (Former DPO) Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All TDs email sent to all TDs with an accompanying briefing document to inform them of this upcoming motion and share our recommendations on same and to invite them to a briefing on the day the motion was due to be debated

Event / Reception All TDs Many TDs attended the briefing (referenced above ) ahead of the Dáil motion being debated where we shared our recommendations with them

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Minister Niamh Smyth invited us to meet her ahead of the Dáil motion being debated (July 14th) where we discussed the Dáil motion with her and the need to protect singers and songwriters.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Niamh Smyth Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)