Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

335. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount expended on access to online and hard copy media publications in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the breakdown of online and hard copy subscriptions including the publications that his Department subscribes to; if consideration has been given to using a banded set of IP addresses for online subscriptions rather than individual accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4011/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Regular media engagement and monitoring of current media issues is essential for my Department to fulfil its public role and democratic mandate. My Department has hard copy and digital subscriptions to daily and weekend national publications as set out below.

In respect of using a banded set of IP addresses for online subscriptions rather than individual accounts, the Department seeks the best value for money and all possible avenues are considered when subscriptions fall to be renewed. The subscription mechanism and pricing models used by media outlets varies, and the mixed approach used by the Department including the purchase of physical copies and online subscriptions to specific newspapers is considered to be an appropriate and proportionate use of resources.