Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I will start with Mr. Mulrennan's call for funding supports for the sector. He is looking for supports similar to those given to other sectors, such as local broadcasters, in the form of a once-off grant of €2.6 million. Mr. Mulrennan mentioned that we also have a Minister with responsibility for media. Has Mr. Mulrennan's body met the Minister and made its request? If so, what was the response or what rationale was given for excluding local newspapers from the supports thus far? Mr. Mulrennan also referred to a decline in revenue of 22%, which is substantial. Will some local newspapers fail in 2021 if this sort of grant funding is not provided as a matter of urgency?

I have a couple of questions to Mr. Crowley on the dominance of technology companies in securing advertising revenue. Does he favour the approach taken in Britain? Would he see that as best practice? Does he also expect this matter to be addressed by the Future of Media Commission?

Mr. Crowley also highlighted the delay with the review of the 2019 defamation legislation. Are there any specific additional issues that Mr. Crowley would like to see raised in that review? I suggest, given the ongoing delay, that the committee write to the Minister for Justice seeking an explanation for the delay and a timeframe for the completion of the review.