I am speaking specifically to the wording of the amendments. That is why I am expressing concern.

I am happy, having listened to the Minister’s point. I want to speak directly to what is in the legislation and the proposed amendments. If we are thinking about the commission when it is up and running, I would certainly hope it would not regulate behind an Iron Curtain. If a sector wants to set up its own system to try to address some of the problems at an early stage, the commission should work quite closely with the sector to try to allow that to happen. It does not prevent, if that self-regulatory system fails…

That is effectively a money message.

The Minister summed it up well. I have particular concerns about a requirement on TG4 in this regard. However, the Senator is correct when it comes to trying to ensure that we seek to address questions relating to regional diversity. I wonder if, when she is reflecting on the Bill, the Minister could look at the section relating to the powers and functions of the commission. Under the powers and functions section, we could look at trying to ensure that there is greater diversity and so on. The intention behind this…

I have a degree of sympathy with the amendments tabled by Senator Higgins and the whole question in respect of section 46J. The intention is clear but it will be a matter of interpretation. The difficulty with the section relates to the specific language that, "A broadcaster shall not broadcast ... [or] make available in a catalogue ... anything which may reasonably be regarded as causing harm or offence". The question there is who will determine what is reasonably viewed as causing harm or offence. It is certainly…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Minister. I was keen to hear the Minister’s response before making my contribution. Again, this relates to the principle or language around this and it is important that we have something that reflects this in the legislation. My concern is around when we talk about the broader media environment and how we can effectively regulate what is happening in respect of those who are in receipt of broadcasting licences and so on. As a general rule, most of those behave responsibly an…

I move amendment No. 96: In page 50, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “(c) where programmes of a political nature are broadcast, that regard shall be had to the size of the political party or grouping by measurement of representation in the Oireachtas or results at elections in the preceding five years, in the allocation of time for such programmes.”.

I agree with the Minister. What is in section 46L comprehensively covers what is suggested in the amendment. If we should look at anything as having a chilling effect on broadcasting, I suggest it is probably more the defamation laws than anything else. It should be noted that no party leader or Government Minister is currently suing the broadcaster under the defamation laws. It is the defamation laws that probably need to be examined more in some of this area, but section 46L, as currently worded, sufficiently cov…

I echo the comments of my colleagues. This underpins the reason we need a statutory broadcasting committee to be established. As the Leas-Chathaoirleach will recall, he ruled out of order my proposed amendment in that regard but this does speak to why some of those specific issues in respect of broadcasting need to be addressed. Having that statutory broadcasting committee within the legislation would help in that regard. I also support the principles.

I move amendment No. 100: In page 51, to delete lines 14 to 21.

I agree with the principle that we need to gambling control legislation. The House will recall that during the first session on this Bill my colleague, Senator Cassells, spoke with a good degree of passion around how we need to regulate that space, in particular around how there has to be close co-operation between the commission and gambling regulator. It is about more than advertising. I have a problem with amendment No. 102. It refers to not allowing advertisements which seek to promote gambling or other specula…

The value of the product goes way down.

I will speak to amendment No. 128. This is not entirely clear to me. The Bill states that provision may be made for the purpose that may prohibit the inclusion in programmes of commercial communications related to trans-fats, fats, salts and sugars. If I am reading the amendment correctly, it proposes changing this so it shall be restricted. I am not sure about this. I might get guidance on it. I am quite happy with the idea that the Bill may prohibit it. The language in the Bill is arguably stronger and I am quite…

I thank the Minister of State very much for coming to the House. I am very conscious that Government policy is to increase the number of people using public transport. Senator Casey and I come from Wicklow and Wexford respectively, for which the Rosslare rail line is particularly important. If we want to get people out of their cars and not using the M11 when travelling through our counties to and from Dublin, we will need to have a good rail service but, unfortunately, we do not have the best rail service. If I wa…

I appreciate that the Minister of State was reading from a pre-prepared reply, but that would be fine if we were representing the southside of Dublin and we would be glad to know about the improvement of the DART line, which is not what we asked about. We asked about improvements to the Rosslare rail line and clearly what has been provided by the Department of Transport and Irish Rail once again shows they do not understand the question we are asking. I know for a fact that of the 41 intercity railcar carriages tha…

We have often spoken in this House about the importance of human rights informing our foreign policy. Our approach to what is happening in Ukraine has been very much based on our view that we cannot be politically neutral when human rights are being abused. This House has been very strong about the abuse of human rights in Belarus and the oppression under the Lukashenko regime. While much of the focus has been on Putin's war, Lukashenko, as the puppet of Vladimir Putin, continues to support his actions. At every po…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. We are all looking forward to debating the report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. I welcome the indications by the Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, that there will be an increase in defence spending of the order of about €500 million, although, on the basis of the recommendations within the commission report, this could be viewed as somewhat conservative, even though it is about a 50% increase. The commission set out very clearly that it believes …

I thank the Minister of State for the response, and while I appreciate she is answering on behalf of the Department of Defence, I am concerned by it. My question is on our defence capability. If we faced an air or sea incursion or a serious cyberattack on critical infrastructure in the State, can we be confident we would be able to address those attacks? As an independent, sovereign State, one of the marks of sovereignty is being able to defend and protect that sovereignty, but on the basis of the response and the …

Last weekend marked the all-Ireland confined drama finals in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, and it was won by a drama group from Kilmuckridge, County Wexford. I am sure the Cathaoirleach will join me in congratulating the group and the director, Anthony O'Connor, and equally to wish the best of luck to the ten drama groups which, from tomorrow night, are taking part in the RTÉ all-Ireland open drama finals at the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone. This is a culmination after festivals have taken place all over the count…

I move amendment No. 54: In page 29, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “Youth Advisory Panel 19A. (1) The Commission shall, within one year of its establishment, establish a Youth Advisory Panel, in accordance with the provisions of this section. (2) The Panel shall advise the Commission on issues of interest to children and young people, on online safety, and on any other matters as the Commission may determine. (3) The Panel shall include representatives of organisations representing children and y…