• Culture and arts
• Communications
• Sport
• Media and broadcasting

"From record funding of €27 million for high-performance athletes, to the world-leading Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme, to investment in Irish film and television production and promotion of our culture around the world, my department continues to support and promote all aspects of our culture and our sport, while developing a robust and trustworthy media sector and also ensuring that the vital communications networks that connect us are fit for purpose and futureproofed.

"My department this year announced a record €27 million funding through Sport Ireland in High Performance Sport. This is the highest-ever level of investment in High Performance Sport in Ireland and follows on from a successful Olympic and Paralympic year in 2024. This marks a huge step towards the investment objectives set out in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.

"We continue to support this country’s rich cultural and artistic traditions. Research conducted on behalf of my department has underscored the importance of the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme, and I was glad to be able to secure the extension of the scheme into next year to allow us to build it into our discussions for Budget 2026."

"Our investment in our film and television industry continues to pay dividends, from small, independent productions to Oscar-winners and streaming blockbusters. I announced, alongside my colleague Minister Donohue, a new incentive for low- and medium-budget Irish films and television series, which will further increase Ireland’s reputation as an international centre for major film production.

"Given the challenges we face as a society, we require a trustworthy information environment more than ever. That’s why I was pleased to publish Ireland’s first National Counter Disinformation Strategy. This is a rights-based strategy which sets out the importance of media plurality, quality journalism, media literacy and freedom of expression. A steering committee has already been established to oversee implementation and I look forward to continued progress in this important area.

"Related to this, I am also pleased that I sought and received government approval for the publication of the General Scheme of the Media Regulation Bill which will implement the main elements of the European Media Freedom Act in Ireland. The Bill provides for an updated system for dealing with media mergers and will assign this and other important functions to Coimisiún na Meán, our independent online safety and media regulator.

"On the legislative front, I also published the revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, which will enhance value-for-money, accountability and transparency in our public service media providers and support the provision high-quality public service content.

"Online Safety is another important policy priority and protecting children, including through robust age verification, is my number one priority. I met the social media companies and set out my stall on this issue to them. I will continue to work on this priority, including with my colleagues in other EU member states, to ensure we make the online world safe for children so that they can continue to enjoy the benefits of enhanced connectivity and learning opportunities.

"I have also been clear on what we need to do better, learning from past mistakes. I have commissioned an expert review of the Arts Council’s governance and organisational culture to ensure that our continued investment in the Arts is safeguarded, and I have met with CEOs and senior managers of mobile phone and broadband operators as well as representatives from Telecommunications Industry Ireland to discuss the impact of Storm Éowyn on telecommunications infrastructure, the industry’s response and restoration works, and their future plans to improve the networks’ resilience to emergency weather events."

"As a government, we are committed to developing Irish sport and have delivered record budgets to back up that commitment; as we continue to offer everyone, of every ability, an opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity. Our highest-ever investment in high-performance sport reflects this commitment and drive to improve Ireland’s elite-level sport, while new sporting facilities around the country offer everyone an equal chance to participate.

"A major component of wider participation is seeing more women and girls taking part in sport, be it on the pitch or track, with the whistle, or in the boardroom. €4 million invested in women in sport will increase the opportunities for women and girls to get involved, and stay involved, with sport at all levels.

"Ireland is already known as a fantastic venue for major international sports events, and the upcoming NFL regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings, in September, will provide Dublin with another opportunity to showcase this well-deserved reputation.

"The publication in May of an International Sports Diplomacy Framework will enhance Ireland’s international engagement and overseas promotion, help to develop our reputation as a sporting hub, and will foster opportunities for international partnerships, cultural exchange, diaspora engagement, advancing foreign policy priorities and increasing domestic participation."

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Culture and arts

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Communications

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Sport

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Media and broadcasting