Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will focus on some of the aspects Ms Quill addressed in her opening statement, such as the issue pertaining to the upper limit for financial sanctions. Under head 16a of the Bill, the upper sanction is €20 million or 10% of the relevant turnover. Can Ms Quill expand on the sanctions?

While much of the debate has been on the social media platforms, the mainstream media are moving into this space more because their survival will be in this space. I am sure the National Union of Journalists, NUJ, has strong views on this.

Screen Producers Ireland is interested in head 76, on the content levy. In particular, it believes the commencement date for the collection of the levy should be required to be set out in the legislation. It is also interested in the reassessment of the levy rate, the distribution of the levy revenues and the need for an increase to go to the independent production sector. The current contribution, or statutory spend, by RTÉ is €40 million and an increase to €80 million has been sought in the area of independent production funding.

I ask for an assessment by Ms Quill and Mr. Shanley in respect of the financial sanctions, the content levy and an increase to the independent production sector.