Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the contributors. I will use the short time I have to discuss the BAI and the establishment of the media commission, which I welcome. A single content regulator is something that we can all get behind. As I discussed with the departmental officials previously, it is widely accepted that the BAI will have to grow quickly and urgently into a media commission. I have met a number of tech companies, some of which are concerned about the BAI's understanding of their industry. There was some hope that the BAI would hire industry experts. My primary interest is in online audiences and users being protected and served well by the new media commission. That needs to happen as quickly as possible. The Department has stated that it is preparing a business case and is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Is the BAI optimistic about the recruitment process, which needs to happen before this legislation is passed? What is the BAI's view on the need for urgency in establishing the commission? Other than introducing this legislation, what can the Government and the BAI do to move this issue forward?

I will ask my remaining two questions while I have the floor. One is about Irish women in terms of radio play. Imelda May topped the album charts last month. The last Irish woman to do so was Lisa Hannigan in 2016. I commend the Why Not Her? campaign and Linda Coogan Byrne for their report and work on this issue. The BAI mentioned the importance of the media commission in upholding cultural diversity. Surely there should be more work done on tackling the disparity in air time. Could we consider enforcing licensing conditions where women are disadvantaged compared to their male counterparts in terms of air time?

I will make my final point briefly. It strikes me that the State has never realised or recognised the status and importance of community media. I am not using that term interchangeably with "local media". I am talking about community media as distinct from public service media and private commercial media.

How can the Future of Media Commission strengthen community media in Ireland in a new digital age?