Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)

I apologise for missing the start. I was in the Chamber. I might need to orient myself as to who is from which organisation a little as I go. I have questions for everybody.

I will start with the Department. I wish to specifically ask about the content production levy and the hypothetical of it being introduced. How would it support independent media in producing content, especially smaller producers of media? Could it be used to promote not only a larger but also more diverse production landscape?

What is the Department's response to the feasibility report from Coimisiún na Meán regarding a European works levy, especially the findings on the levy not diminishing our position as a destination for productions, minimising harm to public service media and the additional funding it could raise for European works? That is in the context of the proposed amendment to section 159 of the Act contained in the general scheme. The amendment provides the framework for the introduction of such a levy. Given the proposals in the general scheme that provide for ministerial discretion on whether the levy should be introduced, does the Department have any plans for scoping exercises beyond what has been done by Coimisiún na Meán on the impact funds generated by a content production levy would have on domestic media production? If it is okay, I will go with the Department first and then move to the representatives from RTÉ.