Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for having just joined the meeting, as I was speaking at the convention centre. I apologise if I ask questions that have already been asked. I will go ahead and ask my questions in the time allotted.

Do the representatives from the BAI know what the changes will mean for the authority? Has there been much in the way of consultation with the BAI in that regard? The BAI opening statement said that it is important that sufficient resources are in place from the outset of the media commission. What kinds of additional resources and staff numbers does the BAI think it will need? Fórsa's submission indicated that the BAI has had resourcing issues over the years. Will the witnesses comment on this in the context of additional resources needed for the new commission?

Reference was also made to the need for a system to facilitate the swift removal of content, which is under head 53. It was said that such a system was proposed but not provided for in the general scheme of the Bill. Will the witnesses expand on what the BAI would like to see there? Does the BAI believe the general scheme provides adequate freedom for the press? Is the BAI happy with the new levy, proposed under head 40 of the Bill, that would fund the media commission?

My next questions are for the Data Protection Commission. Will the representatives expand on the potential issues that could arise if the Bill to emerge from this general scheme persists in excluding, from the scope of harmful online content, material that violates data protection or privacy law? If this type of content was to be included, would it then be a matter for the new media commission, or would the witnesses envisage a dual role for the Data Protection Commission and the new media commission?

In its submission, the Data Protection Commission raised the need for a legal basis in compliance with Article 6.1 to allow for the transfer of personal data between the Data Protection Commission and the media commission. Does the general scheme contain adequate provision for this?