Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The Dáil has made a number of amendments to this Bill, which was passed by the Seanad last December. Amendment No. 1 requires the agency to include, as part of its development plan, indicative targets for numbers in employment in digital media enterprises in the area of the hub. It was made in response to an amendment put down by Deputy Coveney on Committee Stage in the Dáil and following a commitment I made to him to review it.

Amendment No. 2 inserts a new provision to section 12. It requires that any directives given by the Minister to the agency be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. In addition, a notice that a directive has been given will be published in Iris Oifigiúil within 28 days. I am satisfied that this amendment provides considerable transparency with regard to the way the Minister communicates with the agency and, furthermore, that it takes into consideration concerns raised with regard to this issue by Deputies Broughan and Coveney.

Amendment No. 3 provides for a representative of the local community to be appointed to the board. In the course of the debate on the Bill, a number of concerns were raised regarding the representation of local interests. In response to these, and to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are fully represented, this provision has been inserted.

Following the discussion of issues raised by Deputy Coveney, amendment No. 4 has increased from €2,000 to €3,000 the amount of the fine applicable to a person who, on summary conviction, is found guilty of an offence by contravening section 27(1). Having sought advice on the matter, I have been informed that this is the upper limit allowable.