Results 3,281-3,300 of 7,556 for speaker:Catherine Martin

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

Catherine Martin: As I have indicated already, I will not be accepting amendments Nos. 42 and 45 because I believe the Bill, as published, addresses the issues raised in the amendments.

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

Catherine Martin: I thank the Senator for her amendment. Section 12 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, as amended by section 7 of the Bill, sets out the conditions of office of a commissioner. The section also provides, as we discussed in relation to the preceding amendments, that the Government may remove a commissioner in very specific circumstances. Given the gravity of such a decision and to meet the...

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

Catherine Martin: I understand the intentions that underpin amendments Nos. 44 and 52, which would have the effect of allowing a commissioner or member of staff of an coimisiún to also hold office as a member of local authority. As general principle, I do not wish to put any obstacles in the path of those who are seeking election to local authorities. As a former councillor - I served with Senator Ward,...

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

Catherine Martin: Again, I understand the intentions underpinning amendments Nos. 44 and 52 but, as I said, in light of the role of Coimisiún na Meán as the independent regulator of the media and in relation to the requirements of Article 30 audiovisual media service directive, I will not accept this amendment. Holding political office is different from other political conflicts. It is not just a...

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

Catherine Martin: I thank Senators for their amendments but I do not propose to accept them.As regards amendments Nos. 46, 47 and 48, section 12(13) of the Broadcasting 2009, as inserted by section 7 of the Bill, sets out what constitutes a relevant interest for the purpose of determining whether a commissioner should cease to hold office by virtue of him or her, or a connected person, which includes a family...

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

Catherine Martin: Under section 19 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, as amended by the Bill, the coimisiún may establish advisory committees to assist and advise it in matters relating to its functions. Amendment No. 53 would have the effect of requiring that members of any advisory committee of the coimisiún be subject to the same requirements to disclose interests under section 37 of the Broadcasting...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Departmental Transport (28 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I can confirm to the Deputy that neither Minister of State Chambers nor I are allocated state vehicles for use in respect of our ministerial duties . As I have previously advised the House, my Department does not operate any vehicles.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Senators for tabling the amendments. In respect of amendment No. 1, section 9D(1) of the Official Languages Act 2003 as amended provides that the name of a statutory body established on and from the commencement of section 4 of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 shall be in the Irish language. In advance of the commencement in section 4 of the 2021 Act, I decided that...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I will make a general point first. I empathise with Senator Ruane on the groupings, which I also received quite late this afternoon. That is because of the interest in this groundbreaking legislation and how there are more than 200 amendments. If it is of any help, I will say that I was under the same stress as the Senator this afternoon when preparing for this debate because I was also...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 establishes the regulator, which the Government has decided will also enforce the DSA. I am advised that it is important to have that regulator in place at an early stage and that is why we are doing that now. The Bill also creates a regulatory framework for online safety, which is designed to be future-proofed and adaptable to EU law. This...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I welcome the amendments brought by Senators Higgins and Ruane. The Senators have identified a potential ambiguity in the text of the Bill. Amendment No. 3 proposes to delete an existing definition and to insert a new definition stating that commercial communications shall be interpreted as including advertisements. Amendments Nos. 99, 119, 121, 122 and 172 seek to ensure that media...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: Just to say-----

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: As the Senators have recognised I do not make the decision in regard to what is ruled out of order. I am happy for my officials to engage with Members between now and the next Stage of the Bill. I will also say that the Bill was written in a tech-neutral fashion, that was the advice we were given from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in regard to helping to future-proof the Bill.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Senators for their amendments. Amendment No. 9 is intended to provide the power to an coimisiún to compel any technology company to produce data or reports when questioned. I note this amendment is drafted quite broadly without specifying any framework by which an coimisiún would compel technology companies to produce such reports. I believe the power to compel the...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Senators for their amendments. Amendment No. 10 amends section 7(2) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, as amended by section 7 of this Bill, to insert specific reference to the role of an coimisiún in protecting rights to privacy and reputation. The purpose of section 7(2) is to set out the various matters an coimisiún shall seek to ensure in the performance of its...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I have agreed to reflect seriously and further on these three amendments.

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Senator. I see the value of adding "inclusive" in there and ensuring broadcast and video-on-demand services are not only open and pluralistic but are open, inclusive and pluralistic. As the Minister with responsibility for culture as well as for media, I have always sought to open up participation in our cultural life to all our citizens in all their diversity. I am therefore...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Senator for his amendments. Amendment No. 14 to the new section 7(2)(c) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 proposed in section 7 of the Bill deletes a reference to the languages and traditions of the people of the island and Ireland and replaces it with a reference to "the duty not only to satisfy existing demand but to stimulate increased demand for Irish language programming and...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I thank the Senators for their amendments. I wish to bring to their attention, in terms of issues that I raised about these amendments and the previous group, that section 460 refers to media service rules that enable the media commission to make rules regarding accessibility, including regarding sign language service provision. It also gives effect to the provision of the AV media services...

Seanad: Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (26 Apr 2022)

Catherine Martin: I have given that commitment.