Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As the Senator knows, the commission was established jointly by me and the Taoiseach. It deals with matters that go beyond the remit of my Department, which is the reason a number of Ministers have been involved in key discussions. That process will come to a conclusion shortly.

The programme of work regarding coimisiún na meán is now under way to secure the recruitment of key staff with the relevant skills and expertise needed to lead an coimisiún and to carry out the groundwork for the commencement of its regulatory functions. That includes managing the transition of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, staff and functions to an coimisiún while at the same time ensuring the continuity of existing broadcasting regulations. I touched on the matter a little bit last night in the Seanad. The recruitment of the senior staff who will lead and manage an coimisiún is a priority. Work is under way with my officials and officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Appointments Service to secure the recruitment of those staff. I may have indicated this last night in the Seanad. That includes the executive chairperson and an online safety commissioner. The recruitment will be done through open, transparent and effective public competitions.