Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2017
177. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to review the code of conduct which was devised applying to all on demand audio visual service providers operating here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42104/17]
View answerThe European Communities (Audiovisual Media Services) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 258/10) provides for the implementation of certain aspects of the European Union Audiovisual Media Services Directive. Regulation 13 of said S.I. provides for a system of co-regulation by media service providers of on-demand audiovisual media services in the State, including the creation of codes of conduct for on-demand audiovisual media service providers.
Subsequent to this S.I., the On-demand Audiovisual Media Services Group, ODAS, was established under the auspices of IBEC, and a code of conduct for on-demand audiovisual media service providers was created.
The code is prepared in cooperation with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and is subject to the Authority's approval. The authority for initiating a review rests with ODAS.
At EU level, a revision of the Audio Visual Media Services Directive currently being negotiated is likely to require a change to the way in which on-demand services are regulated in Ireland.
However, at present, there is no provision for my involvement as Minister in the creation of codes of conduct nor in the revision of existing codes of conduct. Therefore, I have no function in this regard.
