The State fully intends to enact legislation to deal with the resale rights of artists, the High Court was told yesterday. The failure to enact such legislation has triggered a legal challenge by artist Robert Ballagh.
Mr Ballagh claims he is incurring financial losses because of the failure of the State to implement an EU directive on the resale rights of artists, known as droit de suite.
When the case was mentioned yesterday before Mr Justice John Quirke, counsel for the State said there was a full intention "to bring the matter into law". The judge adjourned the proceedings for a further two weeks to allow the State more time to put in opposition papers.
Mr Ballagh claims the delay in implementing the directive is costing him and other artists the loss of royalty payments of at least 3 per cent.