Minister Outlines Media Regulation Bill Provisions for EMFA Implementation (data.oireachtas.ie)

• Media merger oversight transferred from Department to Coimisiún na Meán to ensure independence.
• Online platform mergers now included; €2 million turnover threshold for notification.
• Public bodies must report state advertising expenditure; Coimisiún na Meán to produce annual report.
• Statutory media ownership database and audience measurement transparency measures introduced.

"Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, presented the Media Regulation Bill 2026 to the Select Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport. The bill implements the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) in Irish law. Key changes include transferring media merger oversight to Coimisiún na Meán, extending merger rules to online platforms, setting a €2 million turnover threshold, and requiring public bodies to report state advertising expenditure. Coimisiún na Meán will also develop a media ownership database and engage with audience measurement providers to promote transparency. An amendment on default settings (Article 20) will be introduced later."