Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome amendment No. 12. Again, it concerns the key issue of participation, which we have debated back and forth. I am really glad that this key issue has been taken on board. Of course, participation is not the same as representation and vice versa. They perform in different areas.

The Government amendment is constructive and is in the spirit of the audiovisual directive and l'exception culturelle, whichrecognises culture is not solely a commercial activity that needs to be regulated but a right that has incredibly important cultural and social functions.

As the Minister mentioned, our amendment No. 14 is very much in the spirit of the UN declaration. It also reflects the spirit of EU law and EU perspectives in terms of the role of culture and the importance of participation. However, I believe that these issues have been adequately and constructively addressed in Government amendment No. 12 and its reference to "their levels of participation in those services and their levels of representation", which will be placed alongside and will complement the "religious, ethical, cultural, and gender diversity" in section 7(2)(c)(iii) and the reference to people with disabilities in section 7(2)(c)(iv). It is in that context that I am happy to withdraw amendment No. 14. I thank the Minister for taking all of this on board as by naming participation in this way, a much stronger mandate is being sent to the commission. This is a reminder that the commission will not simply regulate a commercial service or access to same but in fact will play a role in supporting and considering the level of participation in shaping our shared culture.