Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for a very long process. When she reflects on this, she will see that, across the various Departments of our Government, this has been one of the most significant achievements. I congratulate her. The discussions we had surrounded the regulation of a sphere that had been completely unregulated and an industry that had become so prominent and important to the way we live our lives. It was an arduous task the Minister was faced with.

There were some very terse exchanges between members of the committee and the tech giants who came as witnesses because the Bill shone a light on the manner in which they do business and earn money, which went to the core of everything we discuss, and how algorithms and driving hate allowed them to earn money by funnelling ads into a particular sphere.

By acknowledging the importance of the online media presence in our society, we shone a light on an ailing and - I say this with regret as an NUJ member - maybe dying sector, namely, traditional media. By engaging with them in the committee and, in the Minister's case, personally, and by establishing coimisiún na meán, we hope to provide a structure that allows them to adapt. These institutions have served us extremely well. We are lucky to have a high standard of traditional media, whether broadcast, print or sound. I hope the new funds the Minister has established for journalistic practice, which allow the spreading of resources, gives them the chance to survive and thrive. We have to acknowledge they are in a difficult sphere, and we did so in this Chamber two weeks ago when representatives of the NUJ and the industry came before us to outline the challenges they face.

I thank the witnesses who participated in the lengthy preparation of the Bill. They felt their voices were heard in the feeding-in of the recommendations made. As a result, we have significant legislation. I thank the departmental staff, who were so accommodating through the long process of debate. I commend the Minister on a significant day for her and, more importantly, the regulation of the media sector. It will be one of the big achievements of this Government.