Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

673. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will meet with representatives from a group (details supplied) regarding insurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16605/23]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am due to meet representatives of this group later this week to hear at first hand its particular experiences regarding insurance.

As I have previously indicated, in answer to a question on 21 March 2023, members of the organisation concerned have been in contact with me in relation to the impact on their sport of rising insurance prices. I fully recognise the pressure that rising insurance costs are placing on a variety of sports, especially those with an inherently higher risk profile such as motorsports. This issue has been raised at official level by my Department with the Department of Finance which has responsibility for the regulation of the insurance sector in Ireland.

The Sports Action Plan 2021-2023 contains more than 40 distinct actions to assist the ongoing development of the sports sector over the period to end-2023. My Department is progressing work on the implementation of this plan, which includes a specific action on the holding of regular stakeholder forums with the sport sector to facilitate the collation of insurance pricing data. A report is currently being compiled in this regard and it is planned to present it to the Cabinet Committee on Insurance Reform for its consideration. I would like to assure the Deputy that the particular issues and challenges confronting the sports sector in this context will be emphasised and brought to the fore.

I will continue to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, in relation to this matter. I believe that the reform process currently underway for the insurance sector will deliver an improved situation for those seeking cover for their sporting events and activities.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

674. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the development of online safety codes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16624/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Coimisiún na Meán was formally established on commencement of the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act on 15 March 2023. Under the Act, it is Coimisiún na Meán which is responsible for the development and application of online safety codes. These codes will seek to protect users of certain designated online services from exposure to some of the most serious forms of harmful online content.

Under section 5 of the OSMR Act, Coimisiún na Meán is independent in the performance of its functions and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media has no function in this regard. Given its functions however under the OSMR Act, the development of online safety codes is a priority for Coimisiún na Meán.