Irish artists are to be entitled to receive a small percentage from any resale of their work.
A new European Union directive will enable Irish artists to receive royalties from the resale of their work. The directive applies to artworks that sell for more than €3,000 and will bring Irish artists in line with their European counterparts.
The Artists Resale Right (ARR) also known as droit de suite (right to follow), entitles artists to receive a royalty each time their work is resold by an auction house, gallery or art dealer.
One of Ireland's most successful artists Robert Ballagh has been campaigning for this right and in particular to help the dependents of deceased artists.
While Irish art has been selling well lately, there is a view that this may stop if buyers become reluctant to pay artist royalties. Art economist, Dr Clare McAndrew, says that the new directive could be problematic in the case where an artwork has been devalued and the owner must still pay the royalties.
Families of deceased artists will have to wait four years before the government decides if they should benefit from the directive. Robert Ballagh describes it as "mean" that the government should deprive such families of this small royalty.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 August 2006. The reporter is Ailbhe Conneely.
