I thank Senator Higgins. I understand the purpose of amendment No. 60 is to ensure there is sufficient distinction between the levy under the new section 21 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, as inserted by section 7 of the Bill, which will be used to meet the expenses of the commission incurred in the course of discharging its regulatory functions set out in the Bill in the Broadcasting Act 2009, and the levy made under section 159E, as inserted by section 53 of the Bill, which will be used to fund any content producti…

I thank Senator Higgins. I will say again that this has been reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General and our legal advice is there is sufficient distinction as currently drafted. The levy to fund the expenses of an coimisiún and a levy to fund the content are in two completely different sections of the Bill. The levy to fund the expenses is in section 21 and the levy to fund the content is in section 159E(8).

As I said, they are in two completely different sections. It has been fully reviewed. The legal advice and legal interpretation of the sections as drafted is that there is sufficient distinction presently and there is not a requirement to insert the amendments the Senator has proposed.

I thank the Senators for their amendments regarding the powers of an coimisiún. Amendment No. 61 would delete a reference specifying that an coimisiún can borrow in a currency other than the currency of the State but this is a standard provision for State bodies. Accordingly, I do not propose to change the drafting approach taken to avoid any unintended consequences. Similarly, amendment No. 62 represents a departure from the standard provisions regarding the authorisation of borrowing by State bodies. It is right …

Amendment No. 64 seeks to amend section 25 which relates to deposits and charges for services which may be required by the commission. In requiring the commission to seek the approval of the Oireachtas, this amendment would, first of all and as I said earlier, be contrary to Article 30, which provides that member states shall ensure regulatory bodies are functioning independently of their respective governments or of any other public or private body. That is the first issue. By amending section 25 and then requirin…

I thank Senator Higgins for her amendments in regard to the application in the Bill for an coimisiún to produce a statement of strategy. I recognise the intention of amendment No. 65. Section 29(3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 currently provides that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland shall present a copy of the strategy statement to the Minister and to such committees of either or both Houses of the Oireachtas as the Minister may, from time to time, direct. I propose that language could be introduced on Report …

I echo the welcome to the visitors. I, too, was born in County Galway. The visitors are well represented by Senator Crowe. They are very welcome to Leinster House. I thank Senator Higgins for the amendments. I will not be accepting amendment No. 71. The purpose of section 30 is to provide legislative underpinning for the Minister to direct an coimisiún to provide observations on legislative proposals, to undertake a review of the operation or intended operation of an enactment or to make a proposal of its own volit…

I can only respond to the substance of the amendment and what the consequences of accepting it would be. As I said, it would not be usual for internal records to be placed before the Oireachtas or for the Oireachtas Library to store such records. An coimisiún will be independent and will have the right to consult with whom it wishes as an independent body. We have confidence in an coimisiún. As I said, it is not the norm that it would deposit a record of each activity with the Oireachtas for the Oireachtas Library …

I thank the Senator for this amendment. Section 46O of the Broadcasting Act, as amended by section 9 of the Bill, provides that the commission may make media service rules to, among other things, ensure the broadcasters take steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment of, and access to programmes by persons with a disability. These will build on the access rules published by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in 2009, which will continue in force under this Bill. In addition to this, section 46O also provid…

No.

No.

I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 21st April, 2022, be referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in accordance with Standing Order 95(5), which, not later than 12th May, 2022, shall send a message to the Dáil in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 101, and Standing Order 100(2) shall according…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, Questions for oral answer, following those next set down to the Minister for Social Protection, shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Minister for Justice Minister for Health Minister f…

No.

It is proposed, notwithstanding the Order of the Dáil yesterday, that proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022 shall, if not previously concluded, be adjourned at 8.30 p.m. today.

The debate has been had.

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Office of the Ombudsman) Regulations 2022 ( without debate ) - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on automated data exchange for police cooperation (“Prüm II”) ( to conclude within 50 mins ) - Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 (Second Stage) ( if not previously concluded, debate shall be …

No.

No.

I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves— (1) ( a ) a joint sitting of both Houses of the Oireachtas shall be held in the Dáil Chamber on Wednesday 6th April, 2022, at 9.50 a.m., and His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, shall be invited to address such joint sitting via video conference; ( b ) the Ceann Comhairle shall be Chairperson of the joint sitting and shall adjourn the sitting immediately following the concluding statement by the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann; ( c ) the arrangements shall be…