Results 2,041-2,060 of 2,806 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: We have tabled amendment No. 100 on a related issue. It would remove the ban on political advertising on certain forms of media. We have the odd situation at the moment where if I wish to place a political advertisement, I can take one out in a newspaper, in the cinema and on any social media website, including that of my local radio station, but I cannot place one on television or on...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I understand the concerns that Senators Sherlock and Higgins have expressed. At the outset, I should have thanked the Minister and her officials. A great deal of work has gone into this Bill and we are grateful for all their assistance. In this amendment, we are talking about a level playing field. The reality at the moment is that Amazon has no problem with taking out adverts on all...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate the Minister’s sentiment around amendment No. 100. However, as Senator Higgins pointed out, the Minister said that the language is simply based on the 1997 Act, and the media landscape and environment has changed enormously. I appreciate some of the Minister’s concerns that perhaps an extremist group could then be allowed, if our amendment was accepted, for...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I have to support Senator Higgins on that because this is a particularly important area in terms of the regulation of algorithms. This is a debate about whether it is specifically in the legislation or not. I do not accept the argument that it can be ruled out on an additional cost basis. This is about a regulator which is going to be set up to do a particular job. This is just a question...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that but I would support-----

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: These amendments are important because they relate to the power and function of the commission. We are going to be setting up this new regulator and must consider the guiding principles under which the new regulator will operate. Our big debate is around how we ensure freedom of expression while at the same time protecting the rights of individuals. With the purchase of Twitter by Elon...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate the point the Minister made regarding specific constitutional rights but the corollary is true in that, very specifically in this section, regard is had to the rightful liberty of expression, which is something we believe should be upheld. In the same way we talk about the importance of freedom of expression, that must be balanced by the right of an individual to his or her...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: We will withdraw the amendment while reserving the right to reintroduce.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 12: In page 18, after line 40, to insert the following: “(ba) in particular, that the interests and safety of children are protected, and this inform all its policies and practices,”.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Amendment No. 16 does what it says on the tin and seeks to insert the term "socio-economic” as part of the categories.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 16: In page 19, line 8, after “cultural,” to insert “socio-economic,”. The Minister has committed to look at this. It will give effect to the commitment in the programme for Government.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I do not disagree with Senator Ruane. Our amendment No. 25, proposes simply adding the phrase "to digital and media literacy generally,” and is intended to capture the same thing particularly because the relevant paragraph specifies"in relation to matters connected with its functions". We are trying to broaden it to cover areas of digital and media literacy more widely. There is a...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 25: In page 19, line 37, after “functions,” to insert “and to digital and media literacy generally,”.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 27: In page 20, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “(4A) In performing its functions the Commission shall prioritise child safety and shall have regard to policies of the Government and of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and to public bodies whose activities are concerned with those matters.”....

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: The purpose of amendment No. 27 is, again, simply to require the commission to prioritise child safety.It will ensure the policies of the commission are in line with the policies of the Government, and in particular the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. It will simply strengthen a provision in the same way as the relevant provisions in the Act with regard to...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I stress the importance of this, which I am sure the Minister realises. We will withdraw the amendment but reserve the right to reintroduce it.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I join colleagues in extending thanks to the Cathaoirleach and the Ceann Comhairle and particularly to all the staff of the Houses for facilitating today's very important address by the President of Ukraine. The solidarity that was shown by the Members of both Houses reflects the solidarity of the people of this country. The scenes we are seeing in Bucha and other parts of Ukraine are just...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I might send them to the Minister of State, Senator Hackett's farm as well.

Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am sharing time with Senator O'Loughlin, who is on her way. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire and at the start I thank the Minister, his advisers and officials for their help. I thank the parliamentary legal service for its help on the Bill as well as those in the Defence Forces to whom I have spoken about this matter. Our Defence Forces...

Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: That is good.