Results 1,121-1,140 of 2,648 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Seanad: Crime and Policing: Motion (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: This is a particularly important issue. I have chatted with the Minister of State privately on this. One of the challenges is that those of us who have gone out in Dublin over the years have never felt that unsafe until the past few years. Quite frankly, in parts of the city we are seeing gangs of feral youths that intimidate people. At times when seeing some of the behaviour, it is...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Ar an gcéad dul síos, cuirim fáilte roimh ár bhfinnéithe agus gabhaim buíochas leo as ucht a gcuid oibre. This committee is very glad that Coimisiún na Meán has hit the ground running. I am very grateful for Mr. Godfrey's comments about the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 and our role. We want to see Coimisiún na Meán doing...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: That is a big organisation that covers a lot. We know it is going to be powerful. Roughly how many staff will there be and is Mr. Godfrey finding difficulties in recruiting them in particular areas?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: The commission has recruited somebody from this committee so that is obviously a good sign.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: They are positive.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: It will be down by €1.5 million. That will obviously have an impact on what we were talking about for other broadcasters, including local radio, as well as the independent production sector.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: That is being supplemented. If this were a broader policy decision, would Mr. Ó Domhnaill be aware of the context of the discussion? If we move to abolish the licence fee and Coimisiún na Meán is asked to essentially be the arm's length body to administer the full public service broadcasting fund, it will have the capacity to do so?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Yes.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I very much appreciate that. The committee shares that sense of urgency. Online safety issues and the online safety code are critical. I have no doubt a very good code will be put in place. I think our challenge is around enforcement. This will be around dealing with misinformation, disinformation and Coimisiún na Meán's responsibilities both under the Online Safety and Media...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I accept that but I am concerned because the European Commission's Vice President, Ms Vra Jourová, yesterday indicated that it is intended that the Digital Services Act will be used in these circumstances. There is a requirement at EU level for Twitter, or X, to provide reports on misinformation and disinformation and the European Commission has identified it as the platform with the...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: To speak about the political environment, which is related, Dr. Evans will be aware that we are facing local and European elections next year and a general election in the next 18 months. This is not a uniquely Irish issue. The Federal Election Commission in the US is taking a much stronger role in this area. Coimisiún na Meán will have a relationship with the Electoral...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I will start with an easy one, and then direct the slightly more difficult question to Ms Hodnett. She will be aware that one of the things we were keen on was the establishment of the youth advisory panel and engaging young people. We could maybe chat in general about where that is. It is important for the committee to be aware of it. I might challenge Mr. Godfrey slightly. I think AI,...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Will it ensure there is a level of diversity on that committee, not only male and female, but also urban and rural and so on?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: They could use AI recruitment processes.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Yes.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I will talk specifically about the sound and vision fund. It was referred to earlier and is crucially important. It has been reported that licence fee income for this year is projected to be down by €21 million. The sound and vision fund accounts for 7% of the €21 million. By my calculations, that amounts to €1.47 million. Will the total income for the sound and...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Engagement with Coimisiún na Meán on the 2023 Work Programme (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: That is fine. As regards progress on the content levy or European works levy, I understand that it is within the programme. This levy will be critical for the independent production sector.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (26 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The national children's hospital is something we all want to see happen and we know its importance, but there continues to be growing concern about the cost and ensuring it is completed. James Reilly, who was the Minister for Health when this deal was originally drawn up and signed, indicated that it would cost €650 million. Planning was...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (26 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. I and everyone else appreciate there is construction inflation but we are still talking about a hospital that is costing what, on the face of it, is looking like at least twice what was originally budgeted and we still do not have the final figure. Can the Minister of State assure us that the target for the national children's hospital to be open by the end of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I am sure the Leader will join with me in congratulating Rosslare Europort on being named European ferry port of the year at the European Ferry Shipping Summit last week. She will know from the time we spent on the Brexit committee that one of the very few good things that came out of Brexit was the rapid expansion of Rosslare. This fantastic facility, led by Mr. Glenn Carr and the team,...