Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 establishes the regulator, which the Government has decided will also enforce the DSA. I am advised that it is important to have that regulator in place at an early stage and that is why we are doing that now. The Bill also creates a regulatory framework for online safety, which is designed to be future-proofed and adaptable to EU law. This framework will help the implementation of the DSA, not hinder it.

Senator Higgins mentioned the online safety commissioner. There are later amendments that will provide an opportunity to discuss that point. I wish to tell Senators Higgins and Ruane that I have given serious consideration to amendments Nos. 101 and 106 and to returning to them on Report Stage in consultation with the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. On amendment No. 100, I have concerns about the risks that there would be unintentional consequences to deleting section 46M(2) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, as amended, and so I cannot accept it.