Results 781-800 of 2,476 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

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

Malcolm Byrne: I hope the Minister does feel our love because we do appreciate all of the work she is doing on this. Her assurance is very welcome. I agree with others that there will be issues with regard to the resourcing of the office and so on but explicitly providing for that is very welcome.

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

Malcolm Byrne: These are interesting amendments. It is my view that when the commission is appointed we should be really proud of them because they are going to be among the most powerful regulators in the State as they will oversee this work. The board should reflect diversity. I am always cautious about naming too many groups and trying to match them up. The board needs a wide variety of expertise,...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 41 In page 22, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “(10) (a) The Minister shall designate one member of the Commission as having primary responsibility for the exercise of the functions of the Commission specified in Part 8A. (b) This member, having primary responsibility for the exercise of the functions of the Commission relating to online...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 44: In page 24, to delete line 13. This issue is not unique to this legislation, but it is something that is being applied to quite a number of State appointments. It is the exclusion of members of local authorities from effectively applying for these jobs. As the Minister is aware, this is not about a political appointment of a Minister appointing somebody to a...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate the first part of the Minister’s answer to the effect that this has always been the practice and should, therefore, continue. That does not really answer the question around why we are trying to exclude members of local authorities. It certainly makes sense that where a conflict of interest arises, people should have to step outside the room. It also makes sense where...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I will be moving amendment No. 49 in due course, which is part of this group, but I wish to comment on the previous remarks. I agree in principle with some of the points that are being made. Senator Ruane said that the figures are a little arbitrary but what is important is that there are figures there. The effect of the amendments would be to remove any limits. On gifts, for example, if...

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

Malcolm Byrne: If one got an elite drink, like a rare bottle of wine or something-----

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

Malcolm Byrne: I appreciate that. I am thinking of my colleague, Senator Cassells, who spoke the other day about political advertising and said that Deputy Catherine Martin hates puppies, which for the record, is not true. She loves puppies. This is relevant even in the case of non-commercial accounts through which one is able to influence others. It is not just about being able to commercially...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 49: In page 24, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: "(e) has an active personal account on a designated online service with in excess of 20,000 followers or subscribers.".

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

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 50: In page 26, to delete line 6. I am not sure why this amendment was grouped with the others, because it relates to the local authority issue.

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

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 52: In page 27, to delete line 18.

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

Malcolm Byrne: Next Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. We are all looking forward to debating the report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. I welcome the indications by the Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, that there will be an increase in defence spending of the order of about €500 million, although, on the basis of the recommendations within the commission...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for the response, and while I appreciate she is answering on behalf of the Department of Defence, I am concerned by it. My question is on our defence capability. If we faced an air or sea incursion or a serious cyberattack on critical infrastructure in the State, can we be confident we would be able to address those attacks? As an independent, sovereign State,...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (4 May 2022)

Malcolm Byrne: Last weekend marked the all-Ireland confined drama finals in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, and it was won by a drama group from Kilmuckridge, County Wexford. I am sure the Cathaoirleach will join me in congratulating the group and the director, Anthony O'Connor, and equally to wish the best of luck to the ten drama groups which, from tomorrow night, are taking part in the RTÉ...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I move amendment No. 54: In page 29, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “Youth Advisory Panel 19A.(1) The Commission shall, within one year of its establishment, establish a Youth Advisory Panel, in accordance with the provisions of this section. (2) The Panel shall advise the Commission on issues of interest to children and young people, on online safety, and on...

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

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome that and I appreciate the concern. However, that is precisely the intention behind the amendment. I worry that if time elapses there may be other reasons that committees are needed. There may be a need to set up a committee on, for instance, how one deals with broadcasting in the metaverse in the future. The core reasons that this commission is being set up are to address the...

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

Malcolm Byrne: Yes.

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

Malcolm Byrne: Am I allowed to ask a question of the Minister of State before I answer?

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

Malcolm Byrne: I think this is important. We worked in a very collegial way, both in this House and in the committee, and we are being told on many amendments that the Minister will go away and reflect on them. The Minister of State will appreciate this as the Chief Whip. Could we say that if the Minister's reflections do not take on board a lot of the proposed amendments coming forward, it is fair to...