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

One of the key objectives of the Future of Media Commission was to consider how changing trends in media consumption were affecting media in Ireland and how future funding could be made secure and sustainable. In broad terms, the commission identified a long-term shift in the pattern of consumption of media towards online media and social media platforms, and towards accessing media on phones and laptops rather than traditional television sets. This analysis of the long-term changes in patterns of consumption underpins current media policy. In July 2022, the Government decided to accept 49 of the commission's 50 recommendations and, in January 2023, the Future of Media Commission action plan was published and set out key timelines for the implementation of the commission's recommendations.

A key recommendation accepted by Government was the establishment of a new media fund. This fund will support public service content provided by local, regional and national media in the commercial and community sector, as well as by statutory public service broadcasters. Of key importance is the fact that it will be platform neutral and will be open to print and online media as well as broadcasters. Establishing the media fund will require legislative change and the approval of the European Commission in relation to state aid aspects.

In the interim, I secured €6 million in budget 2023 to establish the fund on an administrative basis, with the priority being the development of a local democracy reporting scheme and a courts reporting scheme. My Department has consulted extensively with stakeholders on the proposed approach and is currently finalising the broad parameters of the schemes. This will inform their detailed design and implementation by Coimisiún na Meán.

The Government has paused a decision on the future funding model for public service broadcasting until such time as the external independent examination of RTÉ that I am initiating is complete and the findings considered. This will be an important input into rebuilding trust in RTÉ by the public, the Oireachtas and its staff. It is envisaged the media fund will be supported in the longer term through that future funding model rather than the annual Estimates.

I brought the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act through to enactment last year. This Act overhauls the regulatory framework for media to ensure it is fit for the new age of media consumption and that regulatory standards are applied to user-generated content for the first time. I acknowledge that in bringing that legislation through the Houses, I was building on the work done by Deputy Bruton as in his time as Minister with responsibility for communications.

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