Results 341-360 of 1,874 for speaker:Malcolm Byrne

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ Oversight and Long-Term Support and Funding: Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (4 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: On the Future of Media Commission report, the recommendation on the licence fee was the only one that was not accepted by the Government. The Minister might outline why she feels it was not accepted by the Government. Does she think events have perhaps changed minds at Cabinet?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ Oversight and Long-Term Support and Funding: Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (4 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I would argue that independence is protected by a number of arm's-length bodies already within the Minister's remit. The Arts Council is such a body, and it makes determinations. This is also done by Sport Ireland for allocations to sporting organisations. In a sense, by deciding what the level of the licence fee is, the Government makes a decision. I would respectfully suggest that that...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ Oversight and Long-Term Support and Funding: Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (4 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I have one final question.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: RTÉ Oversight and Long-Term Support and Funding: Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (4 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: I welcome the Minister's call for Dee Forbes to provide evidence to this committee and to co-operate with groups when she is in a position to do so. I assume that would also apply to Jim Jennings. From our committee's perspective it would be useful to hear from him.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Oct 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Like others, I congratulate the nation of Germany on its national day. I want to raise the story by Ferghal Blaney in the Irish Daily Mirrorconcerning the HSE's property portfolio. It does not surprise me that so many HSE buildings are underutilised. One of the buildings I have been referring to in this Chamber is the former HSE clinic in Camolin, County Wexford. This building was closed...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Sep 2023)

Malcolm Byrne: Before I raise the one matter I wish to raise, I wish to state that I agree with the views expressed by Senator Mullen concerning higher education funding. The issue I wish to raise was reported by Naomi O'Leary in The Irish Timesyesterday on questions around artificial intelligence, AI, and deepfakes but also misinformation and disinformation on social media channels. The article found...

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.