Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Group 2 amendments consist of a large number of amendments but these are all minor drafting amendments which are necessary to improve clarity and in turn the consistency of the text of the Bill and to excise errors and omissions.

The group 3 amendments primarily address the issue of a new appointments mechanism proposed by the boards of the BAI, RTE and TG4. Amendments Nos. 11 and 132, in particular, provide clarity of the roles of the Minister and the Oireachtas joint committee, including requiring the Minister to indicate to the joint committee the relevant experience and expertise of the persons he or she proposes to appoint. Amendment No. 16, precludes a person who has an interest in a newspaper from membership of the BAI or its statutory committees. Amendments Nos. 17 and 160 provide that meetings of the board of the BAI, RTE and TG4 may be conducted by phone or videoconference if required.