The people of County Monaghan received a huge shock this morning with the news that The Northern Standard newspaper, which has been a Monaghan institution for 186 years, is set to close. For generations, The Northern Standard has been a trusted local voice with top-class local journalists, photographers and other staff. It has chronicled every significant event in our community life. It has held to account those of us in political life. Its closure would be a huge loss and it creates real concern about historical records and contemporary reporting. Of course, the disappearance of an historic paper such as The Northern Standard is part of a much wider pattern. Does the Government intend to bring forward any legislation or other supports for local and regional media? As a matter of urgency, will the Government see if an intervention can be made to explore whether there is any possible avenue to save The Northern Standard?

I join the Deputy in saying that it is awfully sad when a provincial newspaper closes. Unfortunately, many of them have closed in recent years. The Deputy knows as well as I do that media platforms have changed. People's connectivity to local papers has changed. National papers are also under enormous pressure. My Department has in recent years responded positively, within the rules laid down for what we can and cannot do in the context of market intervention. We support young reporters and journalists who act as court reporters. We also support newspapers in terms of local democracy so they can attend local area committee meetings in Carrickmacross, Monaghan or wherever else and ensure that council meeting are reported. An awful lot of the local papers are taking that up.

The Department is conscious of making sure that State agencies, such as the HSE and An Post, advertise, where possible, with the local paper rather than online. I know, for instance, that for road opening licences and road closures, Monaghan and Cavan county councils would be adept at that.

I cannot make a direct intervention, as the Deputy knows, in the case of The Northern Standard. If it has an archive and is looking to have that archive housed, there may be an opportunity for the National Archives of Ireland to discuss that. I thank the newspaper for what it has done for the people of Monaghan and for democracy. I hope that the journalists and others who work at the paper find employment in the local area. I wish them the best of luck. At this time of the year, Christmas, it is a tough loss for a community. I respect that. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue.