Results 5,021-5,040 of 8,235 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

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.".

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 69: In page 35, to delete lines 38 and 39 and substitute the following: "work programme, have regard to the need to ensure the most sustainable and efficient use of its resources, while ensuring that such resources are directed towards maximum social and cultural benefit to the public.".

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 70: In page 36, line 16, after "any" to insert "appropriate". I propose to withdraw this amendment, but I may return to the issue on Report Stage. May I speak to the other amendment in the group?

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I indicated that that is my intention, but I want to speak to amendment No. 71.

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I have queried the procedure where I propose to withdraw amendment No. 70. Amendment No. 71 provides that where there are consultations, a record would be kept and that such record would include the rationale by which the commission deemed the person to be appropriate to consult with. Here, again, I have used the language that such record should be deposited with the Minister and laid...

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

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would like clarification. A similar answer was given in terms of the earlier piece when the focus was laid on the phrase "laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas". I have made it clear that that is not the core point. Does the Minister agree that records in regard to with whom the commission consults should be kept? I am speaking about those with whom the commission consults in the...