Oireachtas Golf Society to keep using trademark-protected harp image despite warning

Donie Cassidy said the law relating to the protection of State symbols does not apply to the Oireachtas Golf Society. File picture: Eamon Ward

The Oireachtas Golf Society has told a government department that it will not stop using an image of a harp as its logo despite receiving a warning about the unauthorised use of State emblems.

The harp symbol is a protected trademark under domestic and international law, and may only be used by private entities with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.