Results 1,641-1,660 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome that the Minister of State will pursue this matter with the HSE. There is excellent healthcare provision from the local GPs in north Wexford but we have been promised this additional primary care centre in Gorey and have been waiting a long time, and there does not seem to be progress. I would be particularly grateful for anything the Minister of State can do to expedite the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with Senator Kyne about using those assets to which he referred. Ba mhaith liom dhá ábhar a ardú. I was fortunate enough to be at the launch last week of Pandemonium, the book by Jack Horgan-Jones and Hugh O'Connell. I have started to read the book, which is quite well written, and tells the story of the events of the past two years. Unlike certain other journalists,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: It is longer. It is 18 months.

Seanad: Europe Day 2022: Statements (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: It is quite momentous to mark Ireland's 50-year membership of the European Union. From a Fianna Fáil perspective, this is something of which we have always been very proud. It is something that Seán Lemass and Jack Lynch led on. It is interesting that the only two parties sitting here are the only two parties that have consistently supported our membership of the European Union...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I am in broad agreement around the principles these amendments are trying to achieve. We need to move away from self-regulatory codes. It is important, though, that when the new regulator, the media commission, is established that it does not operate entirely behind an Iron Curtain. It needs to understand the industry and the sectors and how they work. It would be useful, perhaps, if we...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I am speaking specifically to the wording of the amendments. That is why I am expressing concern.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I am happy, having listened to the Minister’s point. I want to speak directly to what is in the legislation and the proposed amendments. If we are thinking about the commission when it is up and running, I would certainly hope it would not regulate behind an Iron Curtain.If a sector wants to set up its own system to try to address some of the problems at an early stage, the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: That is effectively a money message.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: The Minister summed it up well. I have particular concerns about a requirement on TG4 in this regard. However, the Senator is correct when it comes to trying to ensure that we seek to address questions relating to regional diversity. I wonder if, when she is reflecting on the Bill, the Minister could look at the section relating to the powers and functions of the commission. Under the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I have a degree of sympathy with the amendments tabled by Senator Higgins and the whole question in respect of section 46J. The intention is clear but it will be a matter of interpretation. The difficulty with the section relates to the specific language that, "A broadcaster shall not broadcast ... [or] make available in a catalogue ... anything which may reasonably be regarded as causing...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Minister. I was keen to hear the Minister’s response before making my contribution. Again, this relates to the principle or language around this and it is important that we have something that reflects this in the legislation. My concern is around when we talk about the broader media environment and how we can effectively regulate what is...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 96: In page 50, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “(c) where programmes of a political nature are broadcast, that regard shall be had to the size of the political party or grouping by measurement of representation in the Oireachtas or results at elections in the preceding five years, in the allocation of time for such programmes.”.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with the Minister. What is in section 46L comprehensively covers what is suggested in the amendment. If we should look at anything as having a chilling effect on broadcasting, I suggest it is probably more the defamation laws than anything else. It should be noted that no party leader or Government Minister is currently suing the broadcaster under the defamation laws. It is the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I echo the comments of my colleagues. This underpins the reason we need a statutory broadcasting committee to be established. As the Leas-Chathaoirleach will recall, he ruled out of order my proposed amendment in that regard but this does speak to why some of those specific issues in respect of broadcasting need to be addressed. Having that statutory broadcasting committee within the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 100: In page 51, to delete lines 14 to 21.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with the principle that we need to gambling control legislation. The House will recall that during the first session on this Bill my colleague, Senator Cassells, spoke with a good degree of passion around how we need to regulate that space, in particular around how there has to be close co-operation between the commission and gambling regulator. It is about more than advertising. I...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: The value of the product goes way down.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I will speak to amendment No. 128. This is not entirely clear to me. The Bill states that provision may be made for the purpose that may prohibit the inclusion in programmes of commercial communications related to trans-fats, fats, salts and sugars. If I am reading the amendment correctly, it proposes changing this so it shall be restricted. I am not sure about this. I might get guidance...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Elimination of Abuse Directed Toward Referees, Officials, and Players in Sport: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank all our guests. I join members in congratulating Dr. May on her role and wish her the best. It is important in this discussion to acknowledge the good work that is being done and that many of the NGBs are trying their best. The IRFU was mentioned as an example, but I think about some of the smaller codes. Cricket Ireland has done enormous amounts about inclusivity. That all needs...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Elimination of Abuse Directed Toward Referees, Officials, and Players in Sport: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Maybe I should phrase it differently. Does Ms O'Connor believe that social media companies are taking the issue of online abuse sufficiently seriously?