Minister refused to be on panel with Stop Sopa Ireland member

Minister of State for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock has become embroiled in fresh controversy over his new copyright laws after it emerged a member of a panel discussion on the legislation had been asked to step down.

Solicitor Simon McGarr, who took part in the Stop Sopa Ireland campaign, was among those who had been invited to take part in the Digital Rights Forum public discussion today to discuss issues surrounding digital rights in Ireland organised by IT expert Sean Nicholls.

Mr McGarr said he had been asked to step down from the panel last week after the Minister threatened not to participate if he [McGarr] was on the panel.

Mr Sherlock confirmed yesterday he had told the organiser of the event that he would not take part in a panel that included Mr McGarr.

“I stated that I did not want to share a podium with someone who generated an online campaign that falsely compared the statutory instrument to the US Sopa legislation.”

Mr McGarr said the Sopa Ireland campaign was an example of “active citizenry” . More than 50,000 Irish people signed a petition against the legislation.