Ms Celene Craig:

The BAI would wholly support the Senator's points on the importance of public service media and public service content in supporting good, robust democratic discourse. I believe, and the authority believes, that we are very well served in the Irish context. At European level, we hear very many struggles and difficulties being experienced so I believe that we are very well served here. All these things speak to the importance of ensuring the future sustainability of our public service media organisations. I would also stress that the BAI would like to see the commission embrace it fully as part of its remit. The OSMR Act is a very wide-reaching piece of legislation but it also reflects those current and fundamental values that are underpinned already within the Broadcasting Act 2009. I would be hopeful that those principles will continue to be embraced in the future regulatory environment.

On the specific questions around the commission, it is not yet operational. The BAI continues in existence until such time as the Minister establishes the commission. Obviously, a very important first step has occurred in the appointment of the commission that will drive the roll-out and operationalisation of its functions under the new legislation. Out of respect and deference to my future colleagues, I would not like to pre-empt anything that the commission may decide.

I would, however, be surprised if the broad ambition is not to continue and try to build further on the structure, the infrastructure and the quality public service content that is made available by Irish audiences. That is evident and reflected in the legislation. The ambition is there in the legislation. One key piece will be deciding priorities. An coimisiún will have a wide range of functions. One of its first tasks will be to look at its priorities, particularly in trying to secure a strong base for its future operations. As the Senator pointed out, resources will be fundamental to ensuring the future success of an coimisiún. The BAI, which I represent today, has consistently made that point. The officials in the Department have been working strongly over the course of the past year to try to secure the right level of resources. The commissioners are now in place. The BAI has been supporting the recruitment process for some staff in the first phase for the corporate spine of an coimisiún. That phase is being put in train as we speak. I hope we will have a secure and strong base. BAI would strongly support the idea that a very wide, and much expanded, range of human resources will be required to support what is an ambitious and welcome piece of legislation.