Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted the Minister has indicated she will accept the suggestion we are putting forward, which we think will be very useful. As those of us who sat on the Oireachtas committee know, some of the most insightful contributions and testimony were provided by the groups of young people who contributed. Moreover, the experience of the Australian eSafety Commissioner is that her engagement with young people through panels such as this has been very useful.

I welcome the fact the Minister's amendment will strengthen what we were proposing. I hope we will establish the committee as quickly as possible and that there will be open engagement. It is going to be about young people shaping the codes that impact on them. As many teachers admitted to us when we engaged with them, they often learn more from their students about issues regarding online safety.

I might make one small observation. We referred to the body as a "youth advisory panel" and I am delighted it is now being described as a "youth advisory committee". Nevertheless, amendment No. 58 was ruled out of order because we were seeking to set up a standing broadcasting committee. The only difference between the panel and the broadcasting committee was that one was called a "committee", which I was told would cause a charge on the Exchequer. While I appreciate that the amendment has been ruled out of order, I point out to the Minister that colleagues in the other House are likely to raise it as an issue.

In any event, I very much welcome amendment No. 56, which will be a positive initiative.