Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022
29. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will update on the progress with the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32420/22]
View answerThe Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill will, when enacted, establish a multi-person Media Commission (to be known as Coimisiún na Meán), including an Online Safety Commissioner, dissolve the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, establish a regulatory framework for online safety, update the regulation of broadcasting and video on-demand services, and transpose the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive.
On 25 January 2022, the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill was initiated in Seanad Éireann. Seanad Committee Stage (Third Stage) commenced on 26 April 2022 and was completed, on 31 May 2022, following six further sessions in the Seanad and consideration of more than 230 proposed amendments to the Bill. It remains my intention to swiftly progress the Bill through the remaining stages of the legislative process and ensure enactment as soon as possible.
In this context, it is crucial that the transposition of the revised EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive is completed urgently in light of the decision of the European Commission, on 19 May 2022, to refer Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union in respect of a failure to transpose the Directive and to request that the Court impose financial sanctions on Ireland.
