Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his observations and enthusiasm for what is a very distinguished commission.

I thank the witnesses for their comments, observations and presentations today. It is important that this happens along with the work that the committee is doing with pre-legislative scrutiny. I concur with Deputy Cannon that this is probably one of the most important pieces of work of our age in the media sphere. We have got a real opportunity to be a global leader in this.

Next week the committee is due to meet with the European Commission to discuss the strategy, A Europe fit for the digital age. In terms of media plurality and diversity, Ireland does not score favourably on risk factors for social inclusiveness compared to some of our EU colleagues. Of particular concern in Ireland is a lack of protections for minority audiences, in addition to a lack of active promotion of gender equality in programme-making. Do any members of the commission wish to comment on that?