Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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728. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has had engagement with Coimisiún na Meán regarding its strategy statement and work programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30618/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Section 29 of the Broadcasting Act, as amended, provides that as soon as practicable after the establishment day, and every three years thereafter, Coimisiún na Meán shall prepare and submit a strategy statement to the Minister. The strategy statement is to specify An Coimisiún’s objectives and intended outputs for the 3-year period, its approach to achieving them and how it will assess its performance, taking account of its proposed financial and non-financial performance indicators.

In accordance with the provisions of the Act, as soon as practicable after a strategy has been submitted, the Minister shall cause a copy to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, after which An Coimisiún is required to publish it on its website.

Coimisiún na Meán is statutorily independent in the discharge of its functions and as such this is the extent of a Minister's function with regard to the strategy statement. It should be noted, however, that An Coimisiún is required to undertake a public consultation on its draft strategy prior to adoption and submission.

The Act also requires An Coimisiún to prepare and submit an annual work programme relating to the discharge of its functions, which shall have regard to the 3-year strategy and the annual priorities to achieve its objectives and outputs.

I met with the Executive Chair and Media Development Commissioner of An Coimisiún on Tuesday 8th April last to be briefed on the contents of the strategy and work programme in advance of publication. The strategy was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on Wednesday April 23rd, in advance of An Coimisiún publishing both the strategy and the 2025 annual work programme on Thursday April 24th.