Seanad debates

Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

10:30 am

Photo of Malcolm ByrneMalcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am in broad agreement around the principles these amendments are trying to achieve. We need to move away from self-regulatory codes. It is important, though, that when the new regulator, the media commission, is established that it does not operate entirely behind an Iron Curtain. It needs to understand the industry and the sectors and how they work.

It would be useful, perhaps, if we could get clarity. I can understand where this system may be relevant, where, for instance, there may be systems of arbitration and so on that may be in existence within particular industries and if there is an overlap. I am thinking about work, say, the International Chamber of Commerce does. It is not that I am necessarily opposing it. However, around some of those areas where there are systems of arbitration within an industry, I certainly would not like to see those excluded. If we are looking at a situation where an industry is entirely self-regulating, that should not happen. However, if there are mechanisms in place that mean we do not have to go into very formal structures, I certainly think that should continue to be allowed. I get where both amendments are coming from. However, I would have concern that we do not in any way inhibit any arbitration systems that may exist.

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