Two major new developments are set to revolutionise the way Irish recording aretists get paid for their work.
Copyright legislation expected to pass through the Irish legislature this year will mean that for the first time Irish performers will receive income for the use of their recordings on radio, television, in clubs and elsewhere.
PPI, the body which represents all major record labels in Ireland and virtually all significant local labels, will be legally entitled to collect money from music users on behalf of licensed owners of the recordings. A substantial amount of that money will then pass to the recording artists involved. These rights have existed in most European countries, including Britain, for several years.
This development has inspired the launch of a new organisation called RAAP (Recorded Artists and Performers Ltd) which will negotiate with PPI to achieve the best possible conditions for the recording artists it represents, ensure that PPI's costs are closely monitored and oversee the proper distribution of PPI revenues to the maximum number of performers.
RAAP acknowledge, however, that a similar performers' association called PAIL has existed for some time, sponsored by the PPI.
To coincide with its launch, RAPP have initiated a major national campaign fronted by a range of eminent Irish performers including The Edge, Paul Brady, Mary Coughlan, Paddy Moloney and Mary Black, to alert the Irish music community to the importance of the new legislation and how they can benefit financially from it.
According to Eamon Shackleton, one of the key players behind the RAAP initiative, "International experience repeatedly has shown that a strong independent performers' association is essential if performers are to receive a fair return for the use of their recorded performances. Indeed, many Irish performers have demanded the formation of such an association."
A high-profile Irish artist, who declined to be named, expressed his agreement with Shackleton when he spoke to hotpress. "Some large international music companies," he maintains, "actually built their empires by effectively stealing money from gullible and badly-advised artists. Some American artists of the forties and fifties never received more than a pittance for their recordings, many of which are still selling on compilations to this day. So any move that compels record companies to be fairer in their dealings with artists is to be welcomed"
Of course such comment must be contrasted with the traditional unwillingness of Irish artists to engage positively with the business side of the industry, often expecting the tooth fairy to sort things out for them. However it would be hard to deny that faults on either side have often lead to the recording artist receiving less than he or she might have morally, if not legally, deserved.
The new legislation will not allow performers individually to approach music users such as radio stations or discos directly. Instead, all revenues must be paid and negotiated for through PPI. RAAP will, it is believed, be required by their members to seek a 75%-25% split in favour of the performer, similar to the split in favour of the composer most decent publishing deals now offer.
Eamon Shackleton also believes that the existence of RAAP now gives performers in Ireland an effective means of getting a fair share of the revenues collected by PPI and is another important step in getting a fair deal for Irish musicians from the use of their recordings.
It seems likely that the monies which will be collected by PPI under the new legislation will run into millions of pounds each year.
Nevertheless, RAAP can only act on behalf of those members who join and can only dispense money to members. It will be controlled by a board of directors which will be elected by its members in effect it will be a limited company run by performers for performers. RAAP also intends to enter into agreements with overseas performers' associations so that Irish performers' fees can be collected internationally.
RAAP s foundation comes at an opportune time. Irish artists are finally becoming more willing to confront the business aspect of their careers.
The bottom line for recording artists is that if you're not a member of an organisation like RAAP you will find it virtually impossible to access money actually generated by the use of your performances. But perhaps the significance of the arrival of RAAP can best be seen in the public support their campaign is garnering among musicians.
For RAAP, that will be the crucial test.

Recording artists interested in joining RAAP or who require additional information should contact Heather Lougheed at telephone 01- 6614844 or fax 01-6620396.