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Speech by An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern TD at the Dinner to Celebrate Brendan Graham's Contribution as Cathaoirleach of IMRO in the Conrad Hotel on Monday 2nd March, 1998
Chairman of IMRO, Shay Hennessy, Deputy Chairman Mike Hanrahan, Hugh Duffy Chief Executive of IMRO, musicians, promoters, members of the music industry and the media, distinguished guests, and most especially of all, the man in whose honour this great evening of celebration has been organised, Brendan Graham.
It is a great pleasure and honour for me, in between sessions on the hustings in Limerick East and Dublin North, to come along here to the wonderful Conrad Hotel this evening, to join with all of you, in an evening of celebration of what Brendan has achieved, and what IMRO has achieved, for composers and musicians, while he was Chairman of IMRO.
For nine crucial years Brendan, Hugh and their team grafted away tirelessly to make IMRO an independent major player in the national and international arena, representing the rights of Irish music. And great success has attended their efforts.
I know that I do not need to give you all a blow by blow account of that great struggle, because most of you are only too well aware of the enormous efforts which were put into the campaign for your rights, and the rights of other composers, authors and publishers.
Music and writing have always played a central role in the social and cultural life of Ireland. Not alone as a source of entertainment, but also as an effective way of recording Irish history and communicating its stories widely throughout the country and the world. In addition to the historical function of music and song, they also play an important role in defining the identity of a nation and its people. They help to tell us who we are, to express our hopes and aspirations, our trials and tribulations, in a way that makes us uniquely Irish. Internationally, the Irish nation is perceived very much through the medium of its music.
And it was in the area of writing that we could say the work of IMRO really began. You all remember the story of St. Colmcille copying "An Cathach", the "Battle Book", the property of his master St. Finian, and the Solomon-like judgement of High King Dermot, when he declared:
"To every cow its calf, to every book its copy."
That judgement resulted in bloody battle and exile in Iona for St. Colmcille, the fiery Derryman.
IMRO can take some comfort from the fact that Brendan's leadership did not result in such drastic repercussions.
In IMRO's case, a large part of the battle has been the need to educate and make people aware, that music, like any other resource or property, needs to be funded and paid for, just as any other consumer service is paid for. To IMRO's credit, I believe that they have won the arguments, and the process of public education is well on the way. But there have been a few interesting legal skirmishes.
Music in Ireland, of course, has always been a significant source of employment. It was acknowledged in the report entitled "The Employment and Economic Significance of the Cultural Industries in Ireland" that music was by far the biggest employer of the Irish cultural industries, with approximately 10,000 employed. It was further acknowledged in the FORTE Report that, in addition to the direct employment, the enormous benefits that the indigenous Irish music industry generated in other sectors of the economy, should not be overlooked. The tourism industry has been identified as an area which has great potential, in terms of employment, and research by Bord Fáilte has confirmed that music is one of the primary factors, which attract tourist visitors to Ireland.
In terms of economic benefits to Ireland, the FORTE Report also acknowledged that Ireland was the 5th highest provider of international hit records, on the international pop and rock market, and six of the top-selling Irish artists have, between them, sold over 124.5 million records world-wide - a minimum retail turnover of IR. £1.25 billion.
"A Report on Popular Irish Music" by SKC in 1991, estimated that the Irish music product was valued then at IR £245 million annually, with net artists' royalties and performers' royalties worth around IR £58 million annually. All extremely substantial amounts of money!
All these issues bring us to the inescapable conclusion, that music and the Irish music industry, are vital aspects of modern Ireland.
Songwriters and music creators are the very bedrock of music. Without them there simply would be no industry or source of employment. We are truly blessed here in Ireland with so many composers and writers of great talent, in the past and present, who have given us a unique treasury to interpret and re-interpret for each succeeding generation.
And so we come to the present day, in which technology throws down great challenges, to those seeking to protect intellectual properties. I am fully conscious of the fact that even as I speak, my words and image can be broadcast live to a world-wide audience of millions on the Internet, whether I like it or not, and that by the time we leave this function, there could be illegal CDs for sale, of all we say tonight.
I must hasten to add that speaking as a political leader, as someone with something to communicate, I find this scenario very exciting - but, equally, as someone who cares about our artistic and intellectual life, I share the concern of everyone here, that there must be legislation capable of ensuring that the potential which technology brings, is not undercut by piracy and misappropriation.
My Government has taken on board the industry's concern in relation to the need for new copyright legislation. Indeed, when you look at the legislation which is currently available, the 1963 Copyright Act, and consider that it was introduced to cater for a world where even photocopiers were new, and were not readily available, it is quite clear that an overhaul of that legislation is absolutely necessary. So, I can confirm that it is the intention of this Government, that there will be new legislation on copyright before the Dáil, by the end of this year. This pledge is made because the situation demands it, the industry deserves it, and however difficult it may be, this Government will work with you, in bringing that necessary legislation about.
IMRO has become a major player in the national and international arena representing the rights of Irish music. Despite the fact that it only achieved independence in 1995, IMRO has produced outstanding results for those whom it represents. There has been a fourfold increase in the collection of royalties by IMRO for its members, and all those whom it represents. The latest and most significant of these agreements was made with the Vintners' Federation of Ireland in December 1997. What is perhaps more important, however, is the very substantial increase in the number of Irish composers, authors and publishers, who have joined IMRO since 1st January 1996. Currently, this figure stands at just short of 2,000, which is an actual doubling of the figure over the past 2 years.
Irish music is now a successful brand as has been recognised by the SKC report, and more recently by the National Economic and Social Council, from which I quote.
* "In this regard, the 62 million Irish people of Irish descent world-wide, and 18% of the US population claiming Irish ancestry, suggests that this factor should play a part in increasing the demand for Irish music. Industry sources continue to indicate that Irish emigrants are more faithful to Irish cultural forms of entertainment, than is the case for other nationalities, and so there is an important audience in foreign markets, particularly for forms of music associated with traditional folk music".
In order to counter the globalisation of music, which is primarily concerned with market factors, it is essential for us to provide indigenous record companies and publishers, with opportunities to bring local and traditional music onto the market, and IMRO has, for many years, grant-aided many hundreds of projects in Ireland in order to stimulate this process.
As well as being the first Chairman of IMRO, Brendan was also the first President of the Irish Songwriters' Association. He also served with distinction on the Board of Music Base and on the FORTE Task Force.
In 1994 and 1996 Brendan's composition won the Eurovision Song Contest with "Rock 'n Roll Kids" and "The Voice", both of which were very popular hits, and we all congratulate you on those great successes Brendan, and all your artistic work.
None of us will ever forget the 1994 Contest in particular, which brought Riverdance to public view for the first time, and what an Irish musical success story that has been.
Not content with being one of our best songwriters, Brendan is currently writing his first historical novel, which has already excited an enthusiastic response from the international book publishing industry, I understand, and I would not be the least bit surprised, if a new Irish movie based on the book came down the line, as well.
I know that you his colleagues share my esteem for all Brendan's achievements in the world of Irish Music, and especially in IMRO.
Can I also take this opportunity to wish the new Chairman, Shay Hennessy, another great champion of the industry, a very successful three years in his new position.
As I began with a reference to ancient writings, I would like to end with a brief tale concerning a Gaelic Bard, left behind in Donegal, after the Flight of the Earls.
His tailor had woven a very fine shirt for him a year before, but no matter how the tailor tried, he just could not get the money out of him. Each time he broached the subject of payment, the Bard responded with great sorrow and poetic flow, bemoaning the changed times, in which the poet's work was no longer held in high esteem.
Rounding on his creditor, this day, the Bard concluded his defence by saying:
"And when the time comes again, that men value poems,
and pay for them,
I will pay you for your shirt."
Ladies and gentlemen, thanks to the work of Brendan Graham and everyone at IMRO, that time has come.
