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

I thank the Senators for the points they have made. As set out in the Bill, I would expect that an coimisiún will have a strong role to play in providing for standards and practices to ensure that commercial communications protect the interests of the audience and, in particular, the interests of children. An coimisiún will do so through the making of binding media service codes. The existing general commercial communications code which applies to broadcasters will remain in force until amended or revoked by an coimisiún.

In making media service codes related to commercial communications, it is important that an coimisiún takes advice from other public bodies with the appropriate expertise. In the case of infant and follow-on formula and alcohol, the appropriate experts would be relevant public health authorities. It is important that we do not through this Bill inadvertently introduce overlapping functions on the regulation of advertising, for example, between an coimisiún and public health authorities. I am confident that an coimisiún will take the best advice from the relevant public bodies and reflect them in the media service codes.

I understand the intention of Senator Black's amendment on the advertising of alcohol because alcohol abuse inflicts terrible damage on individuals, their families and wider society. That is why the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 is such important legislation. It provides the appropriate base in law to regulate alcohol advertising. However, as I have said, I expect an coimisiún will require in any media service code it makes addressing commercial communications that broadcasters and video on-demand services online will fully comply with the Act and any other public health provisions that may be advised by the Department of Health.