Irish Recorded Music Association

EU Legislative Interests

Copyright and related rights initiatives affecting the recorded music industry

Communication Activities

reinforcement of copyright protection for sound recordings

Interests Represented

Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members

Member Of

International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (ifpi)

Organisation Members

www.irma.ie

Additional Information

Until recently IRMA's lobbying consisted of visits to the EU Parliament in Strasbourg (occasionally Brussels) a maximum of twice a year. Usually once - often not at all. When there we lobby any MEP that will see us in connection with the recorded music copyright issues relevant at that time and attend the Friends of Music Dinner. Occasionally we contacted relevant Irish civil servants involved in these copyright issues. Apart from reporting back to our Board no other lobbying activities were undertaken. The Chairman Willie Kavanagh is a volunteer. The Head of Legal Helen Sheehy is a consultant and paid a monthly retainer that covers all activities for IRMA together with all activities for the CMO - PPI. Most of her time is spent on PPI. Less than 2% of her time is spent on lobbying for IRMA. Her annual retainer in 2025 was €273,000. Apart from a percentage of her annual retainer the only expenses were travelling expenses and hotels in Strasbourg. At the end of 2025 IRMA hired a head of Public Relations and Communications. This has increased the annual costs from less than €10,000 to the higher bracket due to the fact that some of the new Head of Public Relations and Communications time will be spent on lobbying in the EU. At this stage due to the fact that he is just recently started we estimate that 25% of his time will be spent lobbying in the EU.