Results 2,021-2,040 of 2,806 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I will speak to amendment No. 41, which is along similar lines to the other amendments.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Yes, profoundly modest as well. However, it goes a little further in providing that in naming an online safety commissioner, it will not prevent other commissioners from also having responsibility for online safety. The core point in all these amendments - we are coming at this from the same perspective - is that as part of the legislation one of the commissioners should have a very...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I modestly thank Senator Higgins for her praise.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I hope the Minister does feel our love because we do appreciate all of the work she is doing on this. Her assurance is very welcome. I agree with others that there will be issues with regard to the resourcing of the office and so on but explicitly providing for that is very welcome.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: These are interesting amendments. It is my view that when the commission is appointed we should be really proud of them because they are going to be among the most powerful regulators in the State as they will oversee this work. The board should reflect diversity. I am always cautious about naming too many groups and trying to match them up. The board needs a wide variety of expertise,...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 41 In page 22, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “(10) (a) The Minister shall designate one member of the Commission as having primary responsibility for the exercise of the functions of the Commission specified in Part 8A. (b) This member, having primary responsibility for the exercise of the functions of the Commission relating to online...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 44: In page 24, to delete line 13. This issue is not unique to this legislation, but it is something that is being applied to quite a number of State appointments. It is the exclusion of members of local authorities from effectively applying for these jobs. As the Minister is aware, this is not about a political appointment of a Minister appointing somebody to a...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate the first part of the Minister’s answer to the effect that this has always been the practice and should, therefore, continue. That does not really answer the question around why we are trying to exclude members of local authorities. It certainly makes sense that where a conflict of interest arises, people should have to step outside the room. It also makes sense where...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I will be moving amendment No. 49 in due course, which is part of this group, but I wish to comment on the previous remarks. I agree in principle with some of the points that are being made. Senator Ruane said that the figures are a little arbitrary but what is important is that there are figures there. The effect of the amendments would be to remove any limits. On gifts, for example, if...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: If one got an elite drink, like a rare bottle of wine or something-----

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that. I am thinking of my colleague, Senator Cassells, who spoke the other day about political advertising and said that Deputy Catherine Martin hates puppies, which for the record, is not true. She loves puppies. This is relevant even in the case of non-commercial accounts through which one is able to influence others. It is not just about being able to commercially...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 49: In page 24, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: "(e) has an active personal account on a designated online service with in excess of 20,000 followers or subscribers.".

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 50: In page 26, to delete line 6. I am not sure why this amendment was grouped with the others, because it relates to the local authority issue.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 52: In page 27, to delete line 18.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Next Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach for welcoming my colleague, Councillor Andrew Bolger, my secretarial assistant, Patrick Higgins, and Christopher, Conor and Joe to the Gallery. I also welcome the students who are here. It is very important that they hear about democracy and see democracy in action. I again raise the question of the voting age. As the Leader will know, I have raised on a number...

Seanad: Funding for Ukrainian Students in Irish Universities: Statements (27 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. There is a little bit of déjà vugiven we were discussing the question of higher education funding here yesterday. I will come to that presently. I begin with the situation in Ukraine and will raise a number of issues. It is important we put on record the strong support that has been made available by the universities, the technological...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for coming in to address this issue. We are coming up to the seventh anniversary of the publication of the Cassells report, which outlined the crisis facing higher education funding at that time. A number of options were presented in that report. Three options were presented very clearly to the Government, namely, that there be a dramatic increase in public...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate the Minister of State's comments. The timing of this matter is opportune but, with respect, this has been a seven-year process. As the Minister of State mentioned, the urgency of this situation was realised when the Cassells report was published, yet nothing has really happened bar kicking it to a committee and DG REFORM and a series of statements. I welcome that the Cabinet...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: We were fortunate to welcome the Ukrainian ambassador, H.E. Ms Larysa Gerasko, to Gorey yesterday. It was an emotional day during which she met local families who have been supported by schools in the community and by voluntary activity. There is a drop-in centre at Gorey Youth Needs Group where people come to provide information. Active groups have sprung up around the county, including...