Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for attending. I know that he is busy today and it is very much appreciated.

In recent years, the death knell of local media has been sounded time and time again. However, just as video did not kill the radio star, the demise of newspapers does not have to be a foregone conclusion. Irish newspapers are the voice of the people, their communities and their regions. They are the fourth estate. A fully functioning fourth estate enhances the free and democratic society in which we live. However, good journalism is under threat. Censorship, economic pressure, job insecurity and a lack of political will to meet any of these challenges head on is resulting in an uncertain future for journalism. NewsBrands Ireland and Local Ireland, which represent national and local newspapers respectively, are leading the charge for a seismic change in how the newspaper industry is supported in Ireland. The newspaper industry has invested in innovation to ensure it always remains connected with its readers. However, more needs to be done and the onus for taking action must lie with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

Ireland is currently an outlier within the European Union in respect of government action in support of independent journalism. We have one of the highest percentages of value-added tax, VAT, at 9%. The VAT rate for digital products is 23%, which is ironic when we consider the focus of Government in recent years and the importance of the digital economy. In comparison, the VAT rate on printed newspapers in the United Kingdom is set at 0%. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment can use his office to ask the Minister for Finance to reduce the VAT rate to 5% on printed and digital products and, ultimately, reduce it to 0% when EU rules allow him to do so.

Ireland's defamation laws and the two bodies which police them are from a bygone era. They were set up before the advent of online media reporting. While I understand the responsibility for this lies with the Minister for Justice and Equality and his Department and that a single oversight body for all media, including online media, is being considered by the Government, it would be useful to have the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment involved in any reform of these laws.

I attempted to have statements on the newspaper industry taken in the House. However, I was told in no uncertain terms by a number of Departments that newspapers were not under their remit and that, as far as they were concerned, they did not come under the remit of any Department. This needs to change.

Extending the remit of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to cover print and online journalism similarly to the way it covers broadcasting and having a dedicated official within the Department to oversee this would be ways in which independent journalism could be supported. As I am sure the Minister is aware, we have recently seen an exodus of fantastic journalists, some of whom have joined Ministers and Departments and are using their skills in other areas of the economy. Poor salaries, no career opportunities, more pressure in the 24-7 news cycle, fewer resources and no support are leading to a brain drain from the industry. Establishing a news publishers media fund that would drive innovation and investment, coupled with a training and support scheme for all journalists, would encourage quality journalism and make the industry a sustainable and enduring one for all involved. We need more than a bursary for local broadcasters; we need to show our support for all journalists and the important role they play in our society. I thank the Minister again for coming to the House.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter. These issues, among others, have also been raised by NewsBrands and Local Ireland as part of their Journalism Matters campaign.

The composition of Departments and their remits are matters solely for An Taoiseach. Therefore, the extension of my Department’s remit and the appointment of an official to take responsibility for all elements of the media are not matters on which I can respond. Aspects of policy responsibility in regard to matters that affect the media are currently shared by a range of Departments. Let me give some examples to illustrate this point. Defamation law is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality. Policy on taxation, specifically VAT, is the responsibility of the Department of Finance. Responsibility for policy on culture is the responsibility of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I have responsibility for broadcasting policy and policy on media plurality. The latter role can involve print media or newspapers as they may be parties to a proposed merger. Upon receiving notification from prospective parties, which must first receive the approval of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on competition grounds, my Department carries out an assessment as to whether the transaction is contrary to the public interest in protecting the plurality of media in the State.

As the Senator may be aware, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is the independent regulator established under the Broadcasting Act 2009 to regulate traditional or linear television and radio broadcasters in Ireland. The basis for the regulation of television broadcasting is provided for in the European audiovisual media services directive, a review of which will be finalised before the end of the year. This revision will require member states to increase the level of oversight in place for non-linear or on-demand television providers, such as Netflix and RTÉ Player. Member states will also be required, for the first time, to require video-sharing platform services established in their territory, such as YouTube, to ensure that users, especially minors, are protected from the most harmful content. This is to be achieved through co-regulation. Once the finalised version of the directive is published, Ireland will have 21 months to implement the required changes. Preparatory work is under way within my Department. Once the text has been finalised, public consultation will be held to inform our approach to implementation.

I recognise the importance of independent journalism and the vital role it plays in our society and in supporting our democracy by providing access to accurate, high-quality and relevant information to citizens throughout the country. As I have outlined, my remit does not extend to all aspects of media policy but I have specific responsibilities regarding the broadcasting media. In recognition of the important role and challenges faced by many local and community radio broadcasters, I am proposing, as part of the broadcasting (amendment) Bill 2017, to introduce a new funding scheme to offer bursaries to journalists working in these stations. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel and I hope to publish and commence the legislation in both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible.

Separately, the European Commission, as part of its initiative to tackle online disinformation, has announced that it will introduce measures to support quality journalism across member states.The Commission has proposed to member states that a specific allocation should be made in the fund under the Creative Europe programme 2021-27 to support enhancing a free, diverse and pluralistic media environment, quality journalism and media literacy. The programme, which is under negotiation at the moment, falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

On the bursary, the part over which I have authority over the local media. I have proposed this particular concept and I would like it to be extended to include other forms of journalism because many of them use other forms of transmission aside from broadcast such as online and the traditional print mechanism. The important thing is to establish the bursary and then we need to look at what other funding avenues are available to us to expand that.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister. As he outlined, the responsibility for journalism falls between a number of Departments. It would be helpful if one Department was fully responsible for journalism, and its promotion and independence.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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That is above my pay grade. It is a matter for the Taoiseach.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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At the moment.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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It is probably a matter for consideration in forthcoming manifestos whenever the election takes place. It is something I am conscious of and that is why I have decided to establish this bursary. I hope I will have the support of colleagues in the House when I bring this legislation forward. Hopefully, that can act as a building block to expand it further.