The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) yesterday imposed the lump sum fine of €2.5 million because of Ireland’s failure to notify the full implementation of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).

The court also imposed daily fines of €10,000 from yesterday until the AVMSD is fully transposed into Irish law.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media said the fines “are significantly lower than the maximum levels that were open to the court to impose”.

The establishment of Coimisiún na Meán marked the “partial transposition” of the AVMSD, which will be fully transposed once the regulator adopts online safety and media services codes. The consultation on the draft online safety code closed in January.

The Department said: “Since its establishment in March 2023, government has provided substantial funding (€10.5 million in 2023 and around €6 million in 2024) and sanctioned significant recruitment for 164 posts to enable An Coimisiún to carry out its functions.

“It is important to note that Coimisiún na Meán will be partially funded this year from levies on the sectors it regulates and levies will ultimately fund almost all of Coimisiún na Meán’s activities.

“It is important for Ireland that the codes which Coimisiún na Meán puts in place are comprehensive and robust, and that all due processes are followed to minimise risk of legal challenge.

“When completed, these codes will make the online world safer and provide stronger regulation and oversight of streaming services established in Ireland.”