Imelda Munster
Ceist:205. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the expected timeline for the creation of coimisiún na meán. [26539/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 May 2022
Ceisteanna (205)
Freagraí scríofa
The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 will, when enacted, formally dissolve the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, establish a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, which will be responsible for overseeing the regulation of broadcasting and video on-demand services and the new regulatory framework for online safety, and transpose the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive. Coimisiún na Meán will also have functions relating to the promotion of an open, trusted and pluralistic media and online environment, including research, education, media literacy, the protection of children, and journalistic and creative supports.
The formal establishment of An Coimisiún can only commence following the enactment of the Bill. It is my intention to progress the Bill through the legislative process and ensure its enactment as soon as is practicable, particularly in the context of the European Commission’s recent decision to refer Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union for the delay in the transposition of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive. The Bill was initiated in Seanad Éireann on 25 January 2022 and is currently being debated in Committee Stage in the Seanad.
Given the importance of An Coimisiún, Government has approved its establishment on an administrative basis prior to the enactment of the Bill. While An Coimisiún will, as set out in the Bill, ultimately be funded through levies on regulated services I secured €5.5 million in Budget 2022 to provide start-up funds to resource the establishment process.
A programme of work is now under way to secure the recruitment of key staff with the relevant skills and expertise to establish and lead An Coimisiún and to lay the groundwork for the commencement of its regulatory functions. This includes managing the transition of BAI staff and functions to An Coimisiún, while also ensuring the continuity of existing broadcasting regulation set out under the Broadcasting Act 2009.
In relation to the recruitment of senior staff to An Coimisiún, work is currently underway between my officials and officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Appointments Service to secure the recruitment of those staff, including the Executive Chairperson and Online Safety Commissioner, through open, transparent and effective public competitions. In light of the international reach of An Coimisiún's remit, the recruitment process will commence with an Executive Search by the Public Appointments Service to raise the profile and awareness of these critical posts. I expect the Executive Search process to commence in the coming weeks.
Question No. 206 answered with Question No. 194.