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

I thank the Senator for this amendment. Section 46O of the Broadcasting Act, as amended by section 9 of the Bill, provides that the commission may make media service rules to, among other things, ensure the broadcasters take steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment of, and access to programmes by persons with a disability. These will build on the access rules published by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in 2009, which will continue in force under this Bill.

In addition to this, section 46O also provides that an coimisiún shall give effect through media service rules to article 7 of the revised audiovisual and media services directive which requires that member states ensure that media service providers under their jurisdiction work continuously and progressively to make their services more accessible to persons with disabilities through proportionate measures. As such, in reporting annually to the Minister, an coimisiún will be required to report on progress in this obligation to continuously and progressively work towards making audiovisual media services more accessible. This requirement is set out in the subsection Senator proposes to amend as follows:

An annual report shall include a report to the Minister on progress made towards increasing the accessibility of audiovisual media services to people with disabilities, and in particular, on progress made to achieve the intended outcomes relating to such accessibility set out in any media service rules.

As the subject matter is already covered by the Bill, I do not intend to accept the amendment.