irish writers union

IWU welcomes PLR

tqSen Shane ross, ck Irish authors are to be paid for public borrowing of their books from public libraries.

The Dáil passed the final stages of the Copyright Bill 2007, on November 28, 2007.

The long over-due legislation provides a legal framework for a Public Lending Right (PLR) scheme to pay authors whose books are borrowed through public libraries.

Tony Quinn, Senator Shane Ross, Conor Kostick at Leinster House

In representing fiction and non-fiction authors, the Irish Writers’ Union, IWU, had campaigned for an Irish PLR scheme.

Dr Conor Kostick, IWU Chair said the union welcomed the new legislation in principle. “We await implementation of the detailed regulations,” he said.

The IWU’s role in pressing for the measure to be implemented was recognised in both Seanad and Dáil debates. The IWU had lobbied with the European Writers’ Congress and international PLR networks for introduction of PLR to Ireland.

The European Commission took legal action against Ireland in the European Court of Justice for failure to implement the system. It declared that Ireland breached the Lending Rights Directive 1992 by exempting all public libraries from PLR in the Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000.

The amending legislation changes that position.

Funding of Irish PLR is to be directly from the Exchequer and not from the existing public libraries’ budgets.

“Writers value the role of libraries and will continue to cooperate with librarians in promoting Irish literature,” said Kostick.

The union called on the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, not to delay in making regulations to implement PLR in order to bring Ireland into line with other European countries.

PLR payments will assist Irish authors, most of whom, in common with writers throughout the world, cannot earn a full living from writing alone.

Some Irish authors already receive PLR payments for borrowing of their work in the UK library system.

To do so, they must register with the UK PLR registrar. Payment is made once a year to those authors who register for the scheme.

McAughtry gets three life terms

The Finance and Membership Committee of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has unanimously agreed to elect Sam McAughtry as a Life Member.

Sam McAughtry "I have a lovely parchment signed by Jeremy Dear, the Gen.Sec," said Sam."This means that I am now a Life Member of three unions -the IWU, my old union, the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (plus gold medal) and now the NUJ. This is what happens when you grow old, and are off the beer, and can no longer celebrate by sinking pints, and singing Irish songs."

IWU chairperson Conor Kostick said: 'If it wasn't for people like Sam McAughtry, devoting a huge amount of their time and energy organising unions, Ireland's writers, journalists and government workers, north and south, would have far fewer rights and entitlements than they do today.

"Sam has had a long and dedicated committment to the unions he believed in and helped shape: namely the IWU, NIPSA and the NUJ.

"All that he has accomplished for these organisations has been done in admirable style: refreshingly direct; unfailingly gracious and invariably humorous. The very same style, in fact, that provides the basis for Sam's fine writing.

"It is quite an achievement to have obtained life membership from three unions, but anyone who knows Sam will know that this recognition is entirely deserved."

Sam is also a former senator who said on his election to Seanad Eireann in February 1996:

"I am a hybrid unionist in that I am happy to live in the United Kingdom but I am happier still to be Irish and to proclaim my Irishness.

"As I stated on the day of my election, it is my dearest wish to see this island inhabited by 5 million Irish people, living in two jurisdictions with consent, but with institutions established to emphasise their Irishness."

IWU affiliates to IBBY Ireland

by Conor Kostick IWU chair

girl reads book The Irish Writers' Union has taken up the offer of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) to affiliate to the Irish section of that organisation.

IBBY has a very interesting history which explains its role in the world of children's literature.

After the Second World War there was a great shortage of good children's literature in Germany, not simply because of the catastrophic decline in quality publishing due to the destruction of printworks and shortages of material, but also because the Nazi Party had turned children's literature into propaganda.

Jella Lepman founded IBBY to obtain the best works she could from around the world to meet the needs of young German readers.

Ever since its formal inauguration in Zurich in 1953, IBBY has grown to embrace a much wider goal of promoting international understanding through children's books and to give children everywhere access to books with high literary and artistic standards, especially in developing countries.

As a non-governmental organization, with an official status in UNESCO and UNICEF, IBBY has a policy-making role as an advocate of children's books.

Every other year IBBY presents the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award and compiles an honours list of titles chosen by the national sections.

Today IBBY has more than sixty national sections all over the world.

The patron of IBBY Ireland is President Mary McAleese.

The organisation runs seminars, exhibitions and other events in Ireland relating to children's books at a national and international level.

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	Irish Writers Union Chomhar na Scribhneoiri
This is the website of the Irish Writers' Union, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. 01-872 13 02. or email The website is edited by Brendan Nolan	IWU welcomes PLR Irish authors are to be paid for public borrowing of their books from public libraries. The Dáil passed the final stages of the Copyright Bill 2007, on November 28, 2007. The long over-due legislation provides a legal framework for a Public Lending Right (PLR) scheme to pay authors whose books are borrowed through public libraries. Tony Quinn, Senator Shane Ross, Conor Kostick at Leinster House In representing fiction and non-fiction authors, the Irish Writers’ Union, IWU, had campaigned for an Irish PLR scheme. Dr Conor Kostick, IWU Chair said the union welcomed the new legislation in principle. “We await implementation of the detailed regulations,” he said. The IWU’s role in pressing for the measure to be implemented was recognised in both Seanad and Dáil debates. The IWU had lobbied with the European Writers’ Congress and international PLR networks for introduction of PLR to Ireland. The European Commission took legal action against Ireland in the European Court of Justice for failure to implement the system. It declared that Ireland breached the Lending Rights Directive 1992 by exempting all public libraries from PLR in the Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000. The amending legislation changes that position. Funding of Irish PLR is to be directly from the Exchequer and not from the existing public libraries’ budgets. “Writers value the role of libraries and will continue to cooperate with librarians in promoting Irish literature,” said Kostick. The union called on the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, not to delay in making regulations to implement PLR in order to bring Ireland into line with other European countries. PLR payments will assist Irish authors, most of whom, in common with writers throughout the world, cannot earn a full living from writing alone. Some Irish authors already receive PLR payments for borrowing of their work in the UK library system. To do so, they must register with the UK PLR registrar. Payment is made once a year to those authors who register for the scheme. © irish writers union November 2007 more news here McAughtry gets three life terms The Finance and Membership Committee of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has unanimously agreed to elect Sam McAughtry as a Life Member. "I have a lovely parchment signed by Jeremy Dear, the Gen.Sec," said Sam."This means that I am now a Life Member of three unions -the IWU, my old union, the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (plus gold medal) and now the NUJ. This is what happens when you grow old, and are off the beer, and can no longer celebrate by sinking pints, and singing Irish songs." IWU chairperson Conor Kostick said: 'If it wasn't for people like Sam McAughtry, devoting a huge amount of their time and energy organising unions, Ireland's writers, journalists and government workers, north and south, would have far fewer rights and entitlements than they do today. "Sam has had a long and dedicated committment to the unions he believed in and helped shape: namely the IWU, NIPSA and the NUJ. "All that he has accomplished for these organisations has been done in admirable style: refreshingly direct; unfailingly gracious and invariably humorous. The very same style, in fact, that provides the basis for Sam's fine writing. "It is quite an achievement to have obtained life membership from three unions, but anyone who knows Sam will know that this recognition is entirely deserved." Sam is also a former senator who said on his election to Seanad Eireann in February 1996: "I am a hybrid unionist in that I am happy to live in the United Kingdom but I am happier still to be Irish and to proclaim my Irishness. "As I stated on the day of my election, it is my dearest wish to see this island inhabited by 5 million Irish people, living in two jurisdictions with consent, but with institutions established to emphasise their Irishness." © irish writers union October 2007 more news here IWU affiliates to IBBY Ireland by Conor Kostick IWU chair The Irish Writers' Union has taken up the offer of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) to affiliate to the Irish section of that organisation. IBBY has a very interesting history which explains its role in the world of children's literature. After the Second World War there was a great shortage of good children's literature in Germany, not simply because of the catastrophic decline in quality publishing due to the destruction of printworks and shortages of material, but also because the Nazi Party had turned children's literature into propaganda. Jella Lepman founded IBBY to obtain the best works she could from around the world to meet the needs of young German readers. Ever since its formal inauguration in Zurich in 1953, IBBY has grown to embrace a much wider goal of promoting international understanding through children's books and to give children everywhere access to books with high literary and artistic standards, especially in developing countries. As a non-governmental organization, with an official status in UNESCO and UNICEF, IBBY has a policy-making role as an advocate of children's books. Every other year IBBY presents the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award and compiles an honours list of titles chosen by the national sections. Today IBBY has more than sixty national sections all over the world. The patron of IBBY Ireland is President Mary McAleese. The organisation runs seminars, exhibitions and other events in Ireland relating to children's books at a national and international level. © irish writers union July 2007 more news here ----------------- home aims benefits committee events faq honoured plunkett join links contract membersites news plr reviewing tax	News Stories IWU welcomes PLR * McAughtry gets three life terms go * IWU affiliates to IBBY Ireland go *
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