Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This Bill relates to the levy-raising powers of Coimisiún na Meán under the Broadcasting Act 2009 as amended by the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022. Under section 21 of that Act, the providers of audiovisual media services, sound and broadcasting services and designated online services can be levied to meet the expenses and working capital requirements of Coimisiún na Meán. A levy order was introduced by statutory instrument on 30 April 2024 and the levy started on 1 May. Under section 159E of the Act, media service providers can be levied to support the production of European works. That section gives levy powers that have not yet been used yet we are here discussing how to expand section 21 levy powers. I am not opposed to it but it seems a bit previous. Screen Producers Ireland estimates that every year the European works levy is not introduced, the Irish film and audiovisual sector loses out on investments of €25 million or more. This is a huge figure. It means that €25 million that could support the creation of content relating to Irish culture, language, history, heritage, society and sport; the experience of people on the island of Ireland, including the experience of people of Irish descent living abroad; environmental sustainability; biodiversity; climate change; human rights; equality, diversity and inclusion; news and current affairs; international affairs; science; and education could be supported.

This Bill does not do that. We should look at how and when the European works levy is to be introduced. That is the question. Where is the viability report on which Coimisiún na Meán had been working with regard to that levy? We have not seen that yet. Levies, as well as investment obligations of up to 20% of turnover, have been or are being introduced in other EU member states and in Ireland, we are falling substantially behind in terms of fully implementing that audiovisual media services directive. Instead of expanding the levy powers to cover new online services, which is not to be opposed, are there other services or providers that could be covered by the levies? At the very least, we should be looking at ensuring that the powers we have are used.

There are other areas we should look at in terms of music-sharing platforms, ticket sales, distribution platforms and others. I am not opposed to this legislation but I am raising questions about other levies in this field that should happen.

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