Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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150. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 28 April 2021, the steps she is taking to facilitate a national policy debate on the issue of the financial health of the Irish media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53581/21]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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157. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps which she is taking to support a thriving, independent Irish media further to the Government review of the strategic communications unit in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54974/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 157 together.

A strong and independent media sector is central to our parliamentary democracy and freedom of speech. The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, provided for the establishment of the Future of Media Commission, in recognition of the importance of a sustainable Irish media sector. It was tasked with considering the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion.

On 29 September 2020 the Government agreed the terms of reference and membership of the Future of Media Commission.  It was chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, and it included experts in public service media, independent journalism, social media, new technology platforms, media economics, culture, language, creative content, governance and international best practice.

The goals of the Independent Commission were to explore the Irish experience and the challenges created for media by new global platforms and changing audience preferences. The Commission also sought to consider to what extent the current models of delivery are the appropriate ones for the next 10 years. The Commission also reviewed best practice in other countries, especially across the European Economic Area.

The Commission was tasked with proposing how public service aims should be delivered in Ireland over the next ten years in a sustainable way. The Commission was also asked make recommendations on RTE’s role, financing and structure.

The Commission held its inaugural meeting on 29 October 2020. This was followed by a period of public consultation, which ran from December 12th 2020 - January 8th 2021, resulting in over 800 written submissions from stakeholder groups and the general public. In addition, six Thematic Dialogues were held between January 28th and April 15th which involved panels of speakers on a range of matters who responded to questions from online participants and Commission members. These dialogues are available on the Commission's website.  As such, the Commission facilitated a very extensive process of national dialogue and policy debate on the Irish media. 

The work of the Future of Media Commission has now been completed.  The report of the Commission has been submitted to An Taoiseach and myself and we are currently considering its contents in advance of bringing the matter to Government, after which the report will be published.