Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 37:

In page 22, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “(3A) The Minister shall agree with the Public Appointments Service the selection criteria and process to be implemented in respect of the filling of any vacancy on the Commission.

These amendments are related. They relate to the make-up of the commission in terms of experience. Again, we lean very heavily on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 and earlier legislation relating to the make-up of that commission. The Bill, as authored, provides that members of the media commission shall be appointed by the Minister on the recommendation of the Public Appointments Service, PAS. However, the Bill does not explicitly state the selection criteria or the process by which members will be recommended to the Minister by the PAS. It is hugely important that there is oversight of and transparency in the selection criteria and appointment processes. The media commission stands to play a hugely important and influential role in Irish life and its impact will be felt throughout Irish society. Thus, it is imperative that the public has trust in the media commission and its membership. Amendment No. 37 will encourage such trust.

On amendment No. 38, because this goes back to 1998, the reference to membership of the Traveller community is separate to earlier definitions in terms of race, including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin. There might be a more up-to-date version of how we have laid this out. In 1998 the Traveller community would not have been deemed or confirmed to be an ethnic minority. There is probably no need to separate them out. That may just be me being pedantic, but so be it. Currently the Bill does not make specific provisions in terms of experience, both lived and learned, or the acumen required of prospective commissioners. This amendment seeks to ensure diversity in the make-up and perspectives of the media commission, in addition to an understanding of human rights and equality matters. Given the broad remit of the media commission and the impact it will have on a cross section of society, it is important that the commission is both reflective and understanding of the diversity of Irish life and society, and has a good grasp of the implications of the implementation of its regulatory powers on human rights, equality and civil liberties. A precedent for a legislative provision of this nature is contained in the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. There is precedent for this amendment.