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

Amendment No. 30 addresses a number of matters raised by Senators Malcolm Byrne and Shane Cassells on Committee Stage, specifically the suggestion that coimisiún na meán should have regard to the policies of relevant Ministers and the Government regarding the safety of children and the regulation of gambling. This amendment provides for these matters by referring to the relevant Ministers with regard to each matter. For example, it refers to the Minister for Justice with regard to the regulation of gambling. It requires coimisiún na meán to have regard to the published policies of that Minister and the Government on that matter. Lead responsibilities for these matters remains with the relevant Minister and the public bodies under the Minister's aegis.

I note the matters raised in amendments Nos. 31 and 32 are addressed by amendment No. 30 and, accordingly, I am not accepting them.

Amendments Nos. 33 to 35, inclusive, address a matter raised by Senators Malcolm Byrne and Shane Cassells on Committee Stage and give further effect to the provision in amendment No. 30 stating that the coimisiún shall have regard to the policies of the Minister for Justice regarding the regulation of gambling.

Amendment No. 35 states that coimisiún na meán, "co-operate, in relation to the regulation of gambling, with any public body concerned with that matter." The reference to public bodies in this regard is designed to account for the current situation where the regulation of gambling in Ireland is the responsibility of multiple public bodies. The proposed scenario under the gambling regulation Bill foresees a gambling authority having primary responsibility in this regard.