Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Higgins for her amendments in regard to the application in the Bill for an coimisiún to produce a statement of strategy. I recognise the intention of amendment No. 65. Section 29(3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 currently provides that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland shall present a copy of the strategy statement to the Minister and to such committees of either or both Houses of the Oireachtas as the Minister may, from time to time, direct. I propose that the language could be introduced on Report Stage to achieve the intended affect of the Senator’s amendment. As the names of Oireachtas committees tend to change following general elections, it is not best practice to use the current names of committees in such references, but instead to refer to the committee whose functions relate to the functions of the Act in question. This is provided for in the Bill by way of an amendment to the definition of Oireachtas joint committee in the 2009 Act. I would be concerned that amendments Nos. 66 and 67 would unduly circumscribe the independence of the commission in determining whom it should consult when preparing the statement of strategy. I believe it is sufficient to allow an coimisiún to determine the effective mode of consultation and the number of consultees. For that reason, the Minister will not be accepting amendments Nos. 66 and 67.

I do not see the value of the proposed approach in amendment No. 68. We are not proposing to accept it. It is not usual practice to lay internal records of processes and activities of public bodies before the Oireachtas nor for the Oireachtas Library services to store such materials.

The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, will not be accepting amendment No. 69. The language used in the Bill, which requires the commission to have regard to the need to ensure the most economical and efficient use of its resources, is appropriate. The language reflects long-standing principles with regard to the importance of value for money in the use of resources and can be found for example in the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993. Further to this, an coimisiún is already obliged in section 7 of the 2009 Act, as inserted by section 3 of this Bill, to exercise its functions which exist for the purpose of the public good to further support, promote and safeguard the public good.