Results 121-140 of 248 for speaker:Alison Comyn

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: Proving that Ireland's smallest county is not only big on footballing talent but also brains and beauty, we are bursting with pride as Louth's very own Caoimhe Kenny has brought home the Miss Ireland crown. A true Louth woman, full of grace, beauty and strength, she has done us all proud and shown the whole country the talent we have in the wee county. She is the daughter of former Ireland...

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: We will now begin statements on the Farrelly commission report. The statements are to conclude at 5 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to opening remarks by the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes. Time may be shared. The Minister is to be given no less than ten minutes to...

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: I will call the Minister to reply no later than 4.50 p.m. Our first speaker is an Seanadóir Margaret Murphy O'Mahony.

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: Before we hear our next speaker, we have a packed Public Gallery today and I will welcome the groups. We have the men's and women's sheds of Enfield, who are guests of Deputy Barry Heneghan. I know how busy you all are and I am delighted to see you working in alliance. I also welcome Victor and Michael. We also have guests of Senator Paraic Brady, Barbara Heslin and Samantha Healy,...

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: I call Senator Pauline Tully.

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: Is Senator Stevenson sharing time?

Seanad: Report of the Farrelly Commission: Statements (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: I am not certain what school group has just arrived, but I welcome them to the Chamber and the Gallery. I am not sure whether they have been given any homework before the end of term but there will be no more of it today, which is the tradition of the Seanad. I hope they will enjoy a nice long summer break when it happens.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: Tá fáilte roimh ár gcuairteoirí go léir anseo inniu. I thank the witnesses for coming. I am probably in a somewhat unique position having only just become a Senator and joined the Members of the Oireachtas. I spent 30 years prior to this working in media, including television, radio and press, so I feel the witnesses' pain, as I said yesterday. I have lived...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: The search is on, exactly. That is my way of saying I deeply understand the issues. I found yesterday's session very interesting in helping us to knit through this Bill to see how we can help the media organisations. Ms Ní Chaoindealbháin just spoke about additionality and that was a major issue yesterday. I have got her position on it. Does anyone else want to speak about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: Under the Bill, would TG4 be equipped to provide that diversity and plurality?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: Turning to Virgin Media, there may be a perception that it has a parent company with deep pockets, which is ready to back it up or bail it out. What is the actual position?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: Ms Ní Chaoindealbháin touched on the impact it is having on media content, news and current affairs and even staffing. Is it possible to quantify? Media organisations face such challenges now with so many platforms providing free content. Is it possible to quantify the lack of advertising?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: We will certainly look at that. I have a quick question for the community sector. Does it feel it is sufficiently recognised in this Bill?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: I will try to bring Mr. Tyson back in if I get more time. I thank him for that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: Will Screen Producers Ireland outline its position on the requirement that RTÉ spend 25% of its budget on commissioned content? Is it happy that that will support investment in the independent production sector?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: As I promised, I will let the community television side in again. Will the witnesses clarify whether they get funding from the licence fee? If so, has the recent drop in payments of the fee by the public impacted them?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: When I was in school, I managed to work in community television. It is a fantastic foundation for anybody who wants a career in broadcasting. Does community television have any links with educational facilities? Is that something it needs funding for or has funding for?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: I thank each and every one of the witnesses for coming here to make their presentation this evening. I hear their pain and I have felt it. Before I was a Senator, I spent three decades working in broadcasting and journalism and I have worked a lot of that time in regional news. I read out the death notices on LMFM and started in Navan community television all those years ago. I know...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jun 2025)

Alison Comyn: Would anyone else like to address the removal of those obstacles?