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

Amendments Nos. 23 to 25, inclusive, address a number of matters raised by Senators Carrigy, Malcolm Byrne, Cassells, Higgins and Ruane on Committee Stage.As discussed on Committee Stage, section 7(3)(f) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, as inserted by the Bill, sets out the role of an coimisiún in researching, promoting and endorsing educational activities and co-operating with educational bodies in relation to all matters relating to its functions. This wide provision is designed to enable an coimisiún to play a key educational function regarding online safety and media literacy, amongst other matters under its remit.

On Committee Stage, Senators suggested that this provision should be further clarified to ensure that an coimisiún could work with a wide array of bodies. In response to those points, amendment No. 25 in particular provides for specific references to coimisiún na meán engaging with sporting bodies, as raised by Senator Carrigy, and community bodies, as raised by Senators Ruane and Higgins, in relation to co-operation regarding educational initiatives and activities. This amendment also provides for specific reference to training bodies and local and representative bodies in this regard.

As suggested by Senators Malcolm Byrne and Cassells, amendment No. 24 inserts a specific reference to media literacy. I thank the Senators for their work on Committee Stage. Regarding amendments Nos. 26 and 27, I note that the matters raised within them are dealt with by the amendment I am bringing and accordingly I do not intend to accept those amendments.