Results 3,421-3,440 of 8,468 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is relevant because it relates to this section and effectively as well to this amendment which also involves consultancy. You described, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, the intersection of amendment No. 55 with section 19. Again, this does not impose, it gives the power to the commission, with the consent of the Minister to determine costs.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The freedom to make that determination and whether there would be costs sits with the commission and with the Minister. This is an issue we need to examine at the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight because of the recent inconsistent rulings. This amendment is very important. It might be inadvertent in its wording because the way it is phrased at the moment is that the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am going to reflect on the Minister of State's response. I am not fully convinced. I can see scenarios where I would be disappointed that advice was not properly considered, but I can also see scenarios where what we have sometimes seen-----

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am considering as I speak. Certain consultant bodies manage time and again to have disproportionate influence on the actions of public bodies. I am going to withdraw the amendment for now and reserve the right to reintroduce it. I may look for that explanation or opinion in writing from the Department. It would be useful.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 57: In page 29, to delete lines 32 to 40, and in page 30, to delete lines 1 and 2. These amendments relate to the power to impose levies. Within this legislation, two forms of levy are discussed but they are not given different titles, per se. They are both referred to as "the levy" or "levy order". A number of restrictions are placed in respect of the levies...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am a little concerned by that because I am looking to the language in subsections (1) and (2) referred to in section 21(12). All that subsection (1) says is that: (1) The Commission may make an order (a ‘levy order’) imposing a levy on any of the following: (a) providers of audiovisual media services; (b) providers of sound broadcasting services; (c) providers of...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: In that case, I ask if the Minister of State might consider the amendment I have tabled. If that is the intent, why not include the amendment that simply clarifies that nothing in section 21 should be seen to affect section 159E. If that is the intent, there is no harm in putting that in. It would certainly be clear to me.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Again, I have amendments that are deletions. I also have this amendment, which is simply to add a clarification. Is there any argument not to include that clarification? Besides saying they are different, there is nothing in the Bill that says they are different.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will withdraw.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 58: In page 29, to delete lines 39 and 40, and in page 30, to delete lines 1 and 2.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 60: In page 31, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(12A) For the avoidance of doubt, this section shall not apply to levies issued under section 159E of the Principal Act and nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting such powers.”.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 61: In page 31, lines 28 and 29, to delete “(including money in a currency other than the currency of the State)”. This amendment relates to the power to borrow and is a response to a concern about a provision on page 31 of the Bill that allows for the commission to borrow money, including money in a currency other than the currency of the State, for the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: As I will not be able to speak on the other amendments in this group after I make my decision on No. 61, I would like to respond quickly to the Minister of State, if I may. I accept the point he makes in respect of amendment No. 63. His analysis is fair and I realised that as he spoke. The thrust of the other amendments was about trying not to erode the independence of the commission but...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 62: In page 31, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: “(2) Before giving their consent, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Finance shall consult with and seek the views of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach.”.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 65: In page 34, line 42, after “Minister” to insert “and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media”. Amendment No. 65 amends section 29(1). It provides that when preparing a strategy statement, as well as submitting it to the Minister, the commission would also share it with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Yes, I have moved amendment No. 65. However, I am still speaking to it.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: On amendment No. 65, I understand, accept and welcome that the intention is to ensure language in terms of relevant committees will be inserted by a Government amendment on Report Stage. I accept that the title of the relevant committee may change at a certain point. However, it is important that there would be that parliamentary oversight or engagement in terms of the strategy and not...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 66: In page 35, to delete lines 15 and 16 and substitute the following: "(3) When preparing a strategy statement, the Commission shall consult with— (a) the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, (b) the Data Protection Commission, (c) the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, (d) Screen Ireland, and (e) such...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 67: In page 35, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: "(4A) When preparing a strategy statement, the Commission shall consult with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media.".

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 May 2022)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 68: In page 35, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: "(4A) A record of such consultations described in subsection (4) shall be kept and deposited with the Minister and laid before both Houses the Oireachtas.".