Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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35. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the progress of the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47592/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill (OSMR) 2022 provides for the dissolution of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and the establishment of a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, to oversee the regulatory framework for audiovisual media services, sound broadcasting services and online safety provided for in the Bill and to support the development of the wider media sector.

The formal establishment of Coimisiún na Meán can only commence following the enactment of the Bill. However, given the importance of An Coimisiún, the Government has approved its establishment on an administrative basis prior to the enactment and commencement of the Bill. An extensive programme of work is being undertaken by the BAI and the Department to ensure the continuity of existing regulatory functions, the recruitment of key staff for An Coimisiún and an effective transition of corporate functions from the BAI to Coimisiún na Meán.

An Coimisiún will be led initially by four Commissioners: an Executive Chairperson; a Broadcasting Commissioner; an Online Safety Commissioner; and a Media Development Commissioner. The posts of Executive Chairperson, Online Safety Commissioner and Media Development Commissioner were advertised by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on 15 July, 22 July, and 29 July respectively. In addition to advertising the posts, and in light of the international reach of An Coimisiún's remit, an Executive Search procured by the Public Appointments Service was also undertaken to ensure that an experienced panel of candidates with the necessary expertise to fulfil these posts could be brought forward for interview.

Following the completion of the shortlisting and interview process for the posts, the most appropriate candidate for each role will be recommended for appointment. In accordance with section 11(7) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 (as substituted by the OSMR Bill 2022), the current chief executive officer of the BAI will be appointed as Broadcasting Commissioner for a period of up to one year following the formal establishment of An Coimisiún. 

In Budget 2023, I secured €7.5 million to resource Coimisiún na Meán in its first year of operation. These funds will be used to recruit staff and for other administrative costs arising from the new duties and functions being assigned to An Coimisiún through the OSMR Bill in relation to online safety and video-on-demand. I expect that one of the priorities of An Coimisiún will be to prepare and impose a levy on those newly regulated services to ensure that it becomes a self-financing regulatory body as soon as is feasible.