Results 601-620 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Local Government (Surveillance Powers in Relation to Certain Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to listen to the debate on this legislation. A lot of work has gone into this over more than a year. I put on record my thanks to the parliamentary legal service, the Data Protection Commission, with which I engaged, and the many councillors and local authorities around the country,...

Seanad: Local Government (Surveillance Powers in Relation to Certain Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. It was always intended to be collaborative legislation. In fact, there was almost a race between me and Senator Wall to see which of us could get legislation in first. I did not begrudge the fact that he was able to bring his legislation before this Chamber last March because the view we all expressed was that we did not care whose Bill it was; we just want...

Seanad: Local Government (Surveillance Powers in Relation to Certain Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Although I am tempted to say we should take it now, I propose that it be taken next Tuesday.

Seanad: Local Government (Surveillance Powers in Relation to Certain Offences) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m.

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

Malcolm Byrne: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I echo the calls of Senators Chambers, McDowell and others for the debate on our Defence Forces. What is happening at the moment exposes the fact that Ireland on its own cannot deal with this. I agree with comments made by Senator Craughwell and others that this is not a neutral country. We are a non-aligned country and I am very proud that we...

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

Malcolm Byrne: With him at the head of it.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Ms Doherty rightly referenced the Puttnam report with regard to digital policy. We have moved into the digital space but a criticism here has concerned RTÉ digital policy, its expenditure on digital and the frustrations most people felt when trying to use the RTÉ Player. Some of those are being addressed. The RTÉ Player is competing against Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon. What...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I will ask a specific question about funding. We are now considering the introduction of a content levy on some of the streaming services. RTÉ is happy with that proposal. What model would Ms Forbes favour?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Tá ceist eile agam. Cén todhchaí a chíonn RTÉ do chraoltóireacht agus do léiriúcháin Ghaeilge ar raidió ar an teilifís agus ar líne. What future do our guests see for content creation and broadcasting through the Irish language on radio, television and in the digital space online? It is telling that story.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I know that as part of the model, one of the issues RTÉ has been addressing relates to staff reduction. Ms Forbes might be able to update us on that, if she can. I am conscious of another issue that may fall beyond the remit of this meeting. Is there a compulsory retirement age within RTÉ? That emerged as an issue a few years ago.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I am conscious of the time limits. I would like an assurance that there is no compulsory retirement age in RTÉ.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Okay. I will move on to some of the slightly more controversial issues on which the committee has written to and engaged with RTÉ. There is the question of the party that took place. That issue was raised at this committee. I want assurances that there was learning from that. I will also make a comment arising from a matter Ms Doherty raised relating to governance. We also take...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: My only other question related to the RTÉ party. Ms Forbes may wish to answer that. I asked were there learnings and actions taken on foot of that.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Ms Forbes is beginning to sound like Boris Johnson.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: The next speaker is Senator Michéal Carrigy

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I can allow the Senator some latitude if he has another question.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: All members who on are on the call have contributed. I will allow any member who wants to ask a brief question to do so once they indicate.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I do not think anybody else is indicating. I thank Ms Doherty and Ms Forbes for their contributions and engagement. When the Future of Media Commission report has finally been published, and there has been time to reflect on it, it will be useful at that stage for our committee to meet again. The point Ms Doherty made was very important. We may often disagree and we may take issue, but...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank Ms Doherty and Ms Forbes for their presentations. It is important to acknowledge that, during the Covid period, the news team in RTÉ provided great public sector broadcasting in difficult circumstances. We are consuming much more content at home. I pay tribute to the work being done in the drama sector, which is provided by the independent production companies and RTÉ....

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ's Public Service Statement, Irish Language Services and RTÉ Board Appointments Process: Discussion (26 Jan 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: My issue is around the principle. There was correspondence that I do not necessarily want to go into. The concern on this committee was that our competence was almost being questioned around-----