Tag: statement

Coimisiún na Meán publishes Strategy Statement 2025-2027 and 2025 Work Programme

Coimisiún na Meán has today (24.04.25) published its first three-year strategy, which sets out the organisation’s vision for a vibrant and healthy media landscape in Ireland. The Strategy Statement 2025-2027 is accompanied by a 2025 Work Programme, which lists priority projects across Coimisiún na Meán’s remit of online safety, media sector development and regulation.

The Strategy Statement 2025-2027 is built on six key outcomes:

  • Children – a media landscape that upholds the rights, wellbeing and development of children and their safe engagement with content
  • Democracy – a media landscape that supports democracy and democratic values, underpins civic discourse, and reduces the impact of disinformation
  • Trust – a media landscape that consumers can trust, and where they are protected from exploitation and fraud
  • Irish Culture and Media – a media landscape that is sustainable, pluralistic and participative, and that reflects and shapes who we are as a society
  • Diversity and Inclusion – a media landscape that promotes the values of justice, equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Public Safety – a media landscape that strengthens public health and safety

Commenting on the publication of Coimisiún na Meán’s first Strategy Statement, Executive Chair Jeremy Godfrey said: ‘’The publication of our first Strategy Statement, and of our 2025 Work Programme is an important milestone for our young organisation. We are confident that this strategy will help us to create a media landscape that benefits all of society.’’

‘‘Our six outcomes are ambitious and reflect our commitment to the regulation, support and development of a media landscape that underpins fundamental rights and fosters an open, democratic and pluralistic society. As Ireland’s media landscape evolves, we feel a unique responsibility to ensure that we shape the changing media environment to better serve Irish audiences, to uphold fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, and to protect people, especially children, from harm.’’

‘’Since our establishment, we have developed and are now enforcing Ireland’s regulatory regime for online safety, our Online Safety Framework. We have also delivered critical funding support to the independent production and media sector through our Sound & Vision Scheme and new Journalism Schemes, and we have embarked on an extensive re-licensing programme for radio and television stations across Ireland.’’

‘’Guided by our Strategy Statement, and supported by our annual Work Programmes, we look forward to continuing to deliver a thriving, diverse, creative, safe and trusted media landscape for Ireland.’’

Among the priority projects outlined in Coimisiún na Meán’s 2025 Work Programme are the development of a pilot programme for children at imminent risk of harm from online content, the development of an Election Integrity Strategy across all media sources, the creation of educational materials relating to online hate, the preparation of a new Broadcasting Services Strategy and a revised Media Plurality Policy, and the continuation of the Sound & Vision and Journalism funding Schemes.

Strategy Statement 2025-2027
2025 Work Programme

eir Launches First Economic and Social Impact Report 2024

eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications provider, has today released its first ever comprehensive Economic and Social Impact Report, which highlights that the company has invested almost €1.7 billion in telecommunications infrastructure in the last six years, supporting Ireland to become one of the most digitally connected countries in Europe.

eir has also announced a further €500 million investment to expand its fibre network across Ireland, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing nationwide connectivity.

The report has found that eir plays a pivotal role in advancing digital inclusion across Ireland, supporting €172 billion in digital economic activity with its expansive network. eir’s continued investments, in tandem with the Government’s National Broadband Plan, aim to ensure that by the end of 2028, every home and business in Ireland – covering over 2.4 million premises – will have access to high-speed gigabit broadband. This effort promises to bring transformative connectivity to communities nationwide, empowering Ireland’s digital future.

Key findings from the Report:

  • eir has invested €1.664 billion in Ireland since 2018, supporting substantial infrastructure development.
  • In 2023, eir’s capital expenditure was €288 million, consistent with previous years.
  • eir employs 3,170 people directly across Ireland, creating approximately 4,755 indirect and induced jobs nationwide.
  • eir’s broadband infrastructure underpins €172 billion in Ireland’s economic activity, essential to the country’s digital economy.
  • eir’s investments help Ireland rank among the top five EU countries in the Digital Economy and Society Index.

eir aims to provide gigabit fibre connectivity to 1.9 million homes and businesses throughout Ireland. To date, this network is already available to more than 1.3 million premises, with almost 500,000 homes and businesses now connected.

Speaking at today’s launch, Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir, said “A digitally inclusive economy and society are crucial for Ireland’s future. With an additional €500 million committed investment in our communications infrastructure, eir is committed to strengthening this foundation. This report not only highlights our direct contributions to the Irish economy through employment and investment but also our broader impact in enabling the digital economy. Our extensive network infrastructure is essential to Ireland’s digital transformation, supporting both EU and national strategies that prioritise digitalisation for societal, economic, and environmental advancement. eir’s infrastructure underpins €172 billion in economic activity across Ireland.”

Also speaking at the launch of the report, Associate Professor Emeritus of Economics, Anthony Foley, of Dublin City University Business School, and author of the Report, “What we have found in conducting this research is that a cutting-edge digital network infrastructure is the foundation of a flourishing digital economy and society. The globalisation and FDI aspects of the Irish economy mean that broadband infrastructure and services, and international digital connectivity are significant competitiveness issues. Ireland is a very open economy. There is a continuing need to match, and ideally exceed, international broadband capability.”

The Report also underscores eir’s commitment to sustainability, with the rollout of a full-fibre network to 84% of Irish homes and businesses playing a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and improving network resilience against climate-related storms.

Through ongoing infrastructure investments, a focus on sustainability, and promoting digital inclusion, eir is shaping Ireland’s digital future and eir’s further €500 million network investment will fuel innovation, enhance connectivity, and create new opportunities for businesses and communities across the country.

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