My Department has a scheme to develop Irish language centres and there might be potential to do something in Cork in that regard. I will follow up with my officials and get back to the Deputy. There is a scheme to develop Irish language centres and I believe there is potential for doing something in Cork in this regard given the desire for the promotion of and support for the Irish language.

I move amendment No. 2: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "recognises: — the vital role which the media sector, and in particular, our public service broadcasters, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) and TG4, play in supporting our cultural development, societal wellbeing, and the functioning of our democracy; — the importance of ensuring sustainable funding to support our public service broadcasters (RTÉ and TG4), as well as public service content provided by community, commercial and …

Táim sásta an deis seo a fháil chun labhairt ar son an vóta muiníne san Aire, Helen McEntee. I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak today in support of the motion of confidence in the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee. First, I want to say my thoughts are with the children and their carer who were subjected to that horrific attack in Dublin on 23 November. Táim ag smaoineamh orthu go léir, go háirithe na páistí a bhí gortaithe. I again thank the first responders and An Garda Síochána for their selfless an…

Public service media is a cornerstone of a healthy society and democracy. It educates, informs and entertains, and research shows that it enhances social, political and cultural citizenship and promotes social cohesion. For this reason, the Future of Media Commission was tasked with making recommendations on sustainable public funding and other support to ensure media in Ireland remains viable, independent and capable of delivering public service aims. The commission noted three main funding models; a TV licence, a…

The technical working group was established last year and began work in September. It looked at enhancement and reform of the TV licence model. High-level discussions on the report had commenced before the summer, but the decision was paused in light of the controversy. I have said on many occasions since then, and earlier in my initial response, that for too long, Irish Governments have failed to address the question of how to fund public service broadcasting. All options remain on the table. I am determined that …

The two reports of the expert advisory committees are due in February. As I said, it is only the decision that has been paused. The discussions on the funding model continue. I hope to move as swiftly as possible. I am serious about doing this in the lifetime of this Government, so we cannot be waiting months and months after the expert advisory committees report back. Whatever model is decided will need legislation. My intention is to move swiftly after I receive the reports. Until then, as I said, what we have at…

The Oireachtas joint committee report on developing rural tourism was published on 16 November 2023. The report covers a wide range of sectors, with responsibility for some of the issues highlighted resting with my colleagues in other Departments. On my own Department’s responsibilities, the report includes recommendations relating to tourism, film, culture and the Gaeltacht. My officials are currently examining this recently-received report and I look forward to giving a comprehensive response on each of the recom…

With regard to recommendation No. 4, I consider submissions from the national cultural institutions, NCIs, annually as part of the Estimates process. The committee's recommendation will be considered in the context of future budget Estimates processes. In the interim, the Deputy will be aware that my Department runs an annual mobility of collections scheme for the dissemination of national collections to regional museums and to support greater regional and local access to material held in the national collections. …

Tá Údarás na Gaeltachta ag obair go dlúth le Fáilte Éireann, le heagrais forbartha pobail, agus leis an earnáil phríobháideach sa Ghaeltacht chun áiseanna turasóireachta agus ábhair spéise do thurasóirí a chur ar fáil ar fad na Gaeltachta. Maidir le turasóireacht, is í an fhís atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ná fiontraithe, gnóthaí pobalbhunaithe agus na heagrais Stáit a chumasú agus a spreagadh chun táirgí, seirbhísí agus eispéiris turasóireachta a fhorbairt chun freastal ar chuairteoirí agus ar fhiontar idirnáisiúnta…

The TV licence was introduced in 1961 to provide funding for the newly established Telefís Éireann. While previous Governments have not addressed fundamental reform of the TV licence system, this Government is determined to bring forward real change and I am committed to reform of the licence fee within the lifespan of this Government. As the Taoiseach stated, a long-term funding model is needed to deliver effective reform and secure funding for public service media. It is my intention that legislation to underpin …

It is a matter that requires detailed consideration by Government. As I said before, the decision itself has been paused but the discussions are ongoing with Cabinet colleagues and the three leaders. I do not think it would be appropriate for me to pre-empt those discussions or put forward my personal opinion. Suffice to say that I have said on the record that I believe it is not only the technical working report, but also the Exchequer funding model. I now believe all options should be considered. That is what is …

Absolutely. I think we value public service broadcasting now more than ever. As the Deputy knows, the Future of Media Commission made certain recommendations for schemes that would support radio and print. Two of those relate to local democracy and court reporting. I have secured €6 million in the budget. It is almost like an interim model for them. Those schemes will be launched next year. We have been engaging extensively with the industry until we get the long-term funding model secured. That long-term funding m…

The Future of Media Commission, the report of which was published in July 2022, was tasked with considering how changing trends in media consumption were affecting media in Ireland and how future funding of public service media could be made secure and sustainable. The commission identified a long-term and sustained shift in the pattern of media consumption towards online platforms and through devices such as phones and laptops rather than traditional TV sets. This analysis is informing current media policy. A key …

That is the evolving nature of the consumption of media. Directly related to Deputy Dillon's question about GAAGO, ultimately, other than those events designated for broadcast as free to air, the question of which sporting events are broadcast and how they are broadcast is primarily a matter for the sports body concerned and its broadcast partner. The management of broadcast and commercial rights is a matter for each sports body. The GAA is free to enter into commercial agreements to generate revenue to support the…

As Minister with responsibility for tourism, my statutory functions relate to the tourism sector and tourism-specific businesses operating therein, primarily providers of activities, attractions and accommodation. While elements of the hospitality sector are important parts of the wider tourism ecosystem, I do not have responsibility for the general hospitality or food services sector, which are, ultimately, important segments of the wider enterprise economy. However, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employme…

As I said, that €10 million was identified to help those downstream tourism businesses and Fáilte Ireland is engaging with us. It engaged with the impacted businesses to consider scope for a specific support scheme. My officials are now in intensive discussions with Fáilte Ireland on this and I hope to have the scheme finalised and published soon. Let us see how far the €10 million goes. I would be open to that. If that is not enough, then we will look to support, but let us see. We have to wait for the full accoun…

The issue of children accessing online material that is not appropriate for them is a serious matter and something that I am very alive to, not just as a Minister but as a parent myself. This is why the Government legislated for a new regulatory framework for online safety through the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, which I commenced in March of this year. Under this Act, a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, was established, including an online safety commissioner. An coimisiún will protect children from har…

I thank Deputy Murnane O'Connor. Our law was passed this time last year. Coimisiún na Meán was established under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act. This legislation was welcomed by a range of organisations, including the ISPCC and the Children's Rights Alliance, which see it as the possible window to a safer online world for children and young people in this country. It will take time to resource Coimisiún na Meán and appoint the online safety commissioner and the other safety commissioners. The digital se…

I thank Deputy Murnane O'Connor. As I said, it is working on the draft codes, which will go to consultation with stakeholders shortly. We intend the first code to be adopted in the first quarter of next year. All of our debates on this legislation were child focused. The real focus was on protecting our children first. The codes will include requirements to adopt measures in respect of age verification, content rating and parental controls. We really are making sure the online world becomes safer for our children.

Táim ag smaoineamh orthu siúd a gortaíodh san fhoiréigean ar an Déardaoin seo caite i gCearnóg Parnell agus orthu siúd go léir a ndeachaigh na himeachtaí le déanaí i bhfeidhm orthu. My thoughts are with all those injured in the violent attack last week. I thank the first responders and An Garda Síochána for their swift response and bravery. Their actions and the actions of the individuals who intervened to stop the assailant reflect the true values of who we are as a nation. Concerning last Thursday evening's event…