Based on what the Minister has now said I will press the amendment.

I move amendment No. 30: In page 20, after line 40, to insert the following: "(iiia) broadcasting in the Irish language;".

I move amendment No. 31: In page 21, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: "(e) publish revised 'Rule 27' guidelines which confirm that a broadcaster should give due weight to past electoral performance, and other relevant matters, in determining election coverage including the offer of Party Political Broadcasts and that a broadcaster may review such criteria taking account of the prevailing political landscape within the context of their obligations under the Acts and Codes.". What I want to say on the …

Based on what the Minister said, I will withdraw and reserve the right to resubmit.

It is profoundly modest.

That is profoundly modest.

Ar dtús báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille agus tréaslaím leo siúd a chuir an Bill os ár gcomhair. I will begin by welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, to the House and by welcoming the Bill before us this afternoon. I apologise to Senator Doherty and to the other proposers for not being here during earlier contributions. I did, however, hear Senator Doherty move this legislation in a very focused, resolute and authentic way. I am very happy to be here today to support it at this Stage, and I am s…

Hear, hear.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit don phlé. As she knows, this is a technical Bill arising from a judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Union. The Bill is and should only be a first step in addressing the serious issues in marine casualty investigations. Passing this legislation was an opportunity to address some substantive issues in marine casualty investigation. That has been outlined eloquently by Senator Boyhan. Sadly, however, the opportunity has been missed. I had intended to speak to amendment No…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, line 14, to delete “Commission” and substitute “ Coimisiún ”. I would like to see the legislation amended to delete the word “Commission” and substitute that of “Coimisiún” in its place. This would require amending the Bill in 529 instances so, for today's purposes, we have included a simple amendment to section 2 definitions. The role of the proposed Coimisiún na Meán in the governance and regulation of media cannot be underestimated in terms of its importance for the future of t…

Based on what the Minister has said I am happy to withdraw the amendment while reserving the right to resubmit it on Report Stage.

I do not want to take us away from the amendments we are looking at today. On Senator Higgins’s initial point around certain amendments being ruled out of order, I do not know whether we will get to them today but my own amendments Nos. 86 and 89-----

I would not have thought so and that is why, with the indulgence of the Acting Chairperson, I take my opportunity very quickly now to make the point.

Amendments Nos. 86 and 89 refer to ensuring that certain broadcasts will be made available to viewers throughout the entirety of the-----

I appreciate that but I want to make that point. The rationale, much as others have argued, including the Acting Chairperson, that ensuring that sporting bodies that operate on an all-Ireland basis would then sell their broadcasting rights in order that they could be viewed on an all-Ireland basis, in particular those that are in receipt of State and Government support in line with Article 2 of the Constitution making those broadcasts available to viewers throughout the island would somehow place a charge on the Re…

I hope that when we get to that it will be explained fully.

I appreciate that.

I have said it now so it is on the record.

I move amendment No. 6: In page 10, line 6, to delete “Commissioner” and substitute “ Coimisinéir ”. I will withdraw the amendment and reserve the right to move it again.

I move amendment No. 9: In page 18, line 34, to delete “efficiently.” and substitute the following: “efficiently, including the power to compel any technology company to produce and provide any specific related data or reports which it requests within a reasonable time frame not exceeding one calendar month in order to conduct its functions.”. The amendment gives the power as the Minister will know to compel a technology company to produce as well as provide any specific related data or reports which it requests wi…