Results 1,601-1,620 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (30 Apr 2009)

Simon Coveney: Question 36: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the hardship increasing the minimum contribution to the rent supplement by a recipient by a further €6 will cause; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17037/09]

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I support the comments of Deputy McManus. Amendment No. 34 has the same provision, except that I have suggested a report should come before the Oireachtas committee once every two years. I am happy with that being once every three years if the Minister accepts this amendment. I proposed a number of other measures. Before the levy for the financing of the broadcasting authority is imposed...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I will respond to the Minister's statements on this specific issue rather than the need for regulation in general as we are not arguing against that. There is a big difference between a requirement on the authority to put an estimate together before it raises money through a levy, for us to see that estimate and for it to be approved by the Minister for Finance and, on the other hand, laying...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 33: In page 40, to delete lines 1 and 2. May I make a final comment? Perhaps not while I am in my seat.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I appeal to the Minister to accept the amendment as I do not see how it creates even an inconvenience for the authority. This is about returning unspent money to the source, which currently comprises hard-pressed broadcasters who could do with the money if it is not required. In other words, if the authority puts in place the kind of efficiencies that will allow it to save money, the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 34: In page 40, to delete lines 8 to 18 and substitute the following: "(7) (a) The Authority shall be required to bring an estimate before each House of the Oireachtas and get approval from the Minister for Finance for such an estimate before the beginning of each financial year. (b) Approval of the Minister of Finance and the Houses of Oireachtas will be required for the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: These amendments have the potential to be one of the success stories to emerge from the Committee Stage debate. Amendment No. 63 proposes that we should replace the period of seven years with one of ten in the aftermath of a fast-track application process for the awarding of a contract licence. It should not be forgotten that this will give the authority the power to grant a licence that...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I wanted to come in on the discussion on digital radio and, to a certain extent, digital television. I am interested to hear that the BCI will be seeking commercial interest in digital radio roll-out. That is welcome but it flags a major problem we have regarding DTT and RTE's exposure because of the Boxer DTT withdrawal. I realise we are moving slightly from the amendment but there is an...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: We are, slightly.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: By the second bidder?

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: Can I propose an alternative to that?

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: Amendments Nos. 36 and 37 are linked but my amendments Nos. 43, 45 and 47 deal with a separate issue and I would like those three amendments to be taken separately, if that is possible. I do not want to make an issue about it but it will make the discussion clearer.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: Amendment No. 42 deals with a separate issue to that which I am dealing with in my amendments.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: Yes.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I support both of these amendments.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: Amendment No. 36 is a belt and braces approach towards ensuring that exploitation or commercialisation of children and the bullying and anti-social behaviour issues are raised explicitly in that section of the legislation. I support these amendments.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 38: In page 44, to delete lines 30 to 34 and substitute the following: "(2) The total daily time for broadcasting advertisements in the television broadcasting service must not exceed a maximum of 20 per cent of the total daily broadcasting time and the maximum time to be given to advertisements in any hour shall not exceed a maximum of 12 minutes averaged over 2...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I am willing to withdraw my amendment on the basis of the Minister looking again at amendment No. 39. The Minister is taking a legalistic and theoretical view on this matter rather than a pragmatic one. I would be surprised if he has spoken about this issue with radio broadcasters as he does not seem to understand what we are getting at about two consecutive hours rather than one. Many...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I withdraw it.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 40: In page 44, to delete lines 38 to 41. I recognise this is a sensitive area. As the reintroduction of religious advertising to broadcasting in Ireland should not be done lightly, I have been careful to propose a form of wording that would allow the broadcasting authority to put in place a code of conduct for such advertisements. I have also proposed in amendment No....