Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2026
122. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department will confirm if his engagements with media commissioners in Coimisiún na Meán were minuted; and if he will publish any existing minutes relating to this engagement in the wake of the April fuel protests. [40697/26]
View answer123. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he made further contact with Coimisiún na Meán to seek investigations relating to the April fuel protests (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40698/26]
View answer124. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department was involved in the decision to label the note of his engagement with Coimisiún na Meán as ‘confidential’; and if so, if he will comment on the justification of the decision. [40699/26]
View answer125. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will release the answers he received from his query (details supplied) on the possibility of investigations on reporting surrounding April's fuel protests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40700/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123, 124 and 125 together.
I propose taking questions 40697, 40698, 40699 and 40700 together.
As has been reported, I engaged with Coimisiún na Meán in relation to media coverage of the fuel protests last month, and in particular to seek clarity on any mechanisms under the legislation that may be available to me as Minister to seek an examination of the broadcast coverage.
Details regarding my initial engagement with An Coimisiún on this matter have been released and there are no other records or minutes of same, and I can confirm that my Department had no role in compiling the note of the engagement by An Coimisiún or the labelling of it as confidential.
Following the initial contact, a meeting was arranged between myself, officials and representatives of An Coimisiún, which took place on Tuesday 14 April. The meeting was arranged to provide clarity on the legislative and regulatory framework for ensuring fairness, objectivity and impartiality in news and current affairs and for dealing with complaints arising.
The Commissioners briefed me on the relevant Media Codes, including in relation to fairness, objectivity and impartiality, and noted that the public may make complaints regarding breaches of Codes (first to the broadcaster and then to Coimisiún na Meán), and that Coimisiún na Meán also undertakes compliance monitoring.
A minute of this meeting was prepared and I am happy to provide a copy of same.
