Results 761-780 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

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 (27 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Cathaoirleach for welcoming my colleague, Councillor Andrew Bolger, my secretarial assistant, Patrick Higgins, and Christopher, Conor and Joe to the Gallery. I also welcome the students who are here. It is very important that they hear about democracy and see democracy in action. I again raise the question of the voting age. As the Leader will know, I have raised on a number...

Seanad: Funding for Ukrainian Students in Irish Universities: Statements (27 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. There is a little bit of déjà vugiven we were discussing the question of higher education funding here yesterday. I will come to that presently. I begin with the situation in Ukraine and will raise a number of issues. It is important we put on record the strong support that has been made available by the universities, the technological...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The Minister of State’s role in ensuring action was taken on foot of the Moorhead report to address the terms of conditions for councillors needs to be acknowledged. The Minister of State provided great leadership in that regard and I know he continues to work closely with the representative...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: That was a comprehensive response, and reflects the Minister of State's understanding of and passion for local government. Councillors around the country are full of praise for his work in this area. One issue he did not refer to, however, and I appreciate the time constraints at work, was the general policy concerning the exclusion of councillors from State boards. It is written into...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Along with the Cathaoirleach and the Leader, I welcome the Polish ambassador to our Chamber and recognise the great generosity of the people of Poland to those who are fleeing Putin's war in Ukraine and the contribution of Polish people in Ireland. The ambassador's first trip outside of Dublin following her appointment was to Gorey where we have a very active Polish association. An enormous...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: It is not quite a quote from one of my favourite poets and writers, Brendan Behan. We might reflect on this when we get all the brick-bracks thrown at us from those online who constantly attack us: Critics are like eunuchs in a harem; they know how it's done, they've seen it done every day, but they're unable to do it themselves. I hope that when we face unfair criticism, we reflect on...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I will speak to amendment No. 96, which reflects some concerns. It is slightly different from the other amendments, which speak to a determination of time for party political broadcasts. This speaks to the allocation of time for political programmes by public sector broadcasters. Some programmes are particularly balanced and have a Government and an Opposition representative. As the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I agree with many of the points made by Senator Higgins. Regarding the Minister’s response, this is at the heart of our democracy. I refer to ensuring that all sides of a political argument get aired. It is important that discussion is based on evidence. As the Minister rightly stated, however, the political landscape has changed enormously, and it is important that a broad range...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I will speak to amendment No. 41, which is along similar lines to the other amendments.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Yes, profoundly modest as well. However, it goes a little further in providing that in naming an online safety commissioner, it will not prevent other commissioners from also having responsibility for online safety. The core point in all these amendments - we are coming at this from the same perspective - is that as part of the legislation one of the commissioners should have a very...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I modestly thank Senator Higgins for her praise.