Composer and musician, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, has called on the Government to prioritise the implementation of the European copyright directive.
Mac an Iomaire said he has performed two online shows in recent weeks, which have been viewed by around 166,000 people, numbers he described as mind-boggling.
However he said there is no set up with video streaming companies to take a log of who is doing what and where, that would enable payments to be made to artists.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said he believes that Facebook owned the copyright for performances on its platform.
He said that 48% of music is streamed by YouTube but it only accounts for 7% of the revenue.
He explained that 1,000 streams on Apple music would pay around €7, but the same amount on spotify would be around €3.50, but on YouTube it is around 58 cents.
Even if YouTube were to pay the same amount as Spotify, he said, it would be a huge improvement.
He said that March, which is normally a huge month for Irish musicians, has been a write-off and looking forward, he cannot see how planned performances and gigs can go ahead.
"Easter 2020", by Paula Meehan, was commissioned by @rte for #ShineYourLight. The music, Emer's Dream, was written and performed by Colm Mac Con Iomaire. pic.twitter.com/aDhbH0eoDN
— RTÉ (@rte) April 12, 2020
He said he is a unique space because he can work from home and because he has diversified. Most of his revenue these days comes from composition and recording and he has a few projects in the pipeline.
However, he said he really feels for those younger bands that are just about to break through and on the crest of a wave, for whom "the tides have just gone out suddenly".
In addition, he said, all the supporting crew have been left without work.
He said even further down the line, he could not see how touring or productions in theatre and cinema could resume.
Everyone, he said, is very worried.
"For the 288 Irish men and women who are no longer with us, and may they rest in peace".@GlenHansard & Colm Mac Con Iomaire – Falling Slowly.#ShineYourLight #LateLate pic.twitter.com/uRdkhEHN8e
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) April 10, 2020
