Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Future of Media Commission is up and running and it will examine a wide range of issues but the question relates to concerns within the sector in terms of the length of time it will take to report. Does the Minister have a particular date in mind because there are concerns that it will go right into 2022, which is a long time to wait for a sector that has been severely affected by the Covid-19 crisis? The Minister stated that she had set up other Covid-19 task forces on tourism, etc., in her Department but it is something to consider given the serious issues facing the media. We are talking about a short-term task force, literally to address their financial straits. We had spoken earlier about the financial situation local radio is in given the dramatic loss in revenue. We spoke also about the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's request to have the levy extended for the second half of this year and into next year, again due to its dire financial circumstances. Would the Minister consider it given what I have outlined?

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