Vol. 571 No. 4
177 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the terms of reference of the review of radio licensing announced by him on 14 August 2003; the person by whom the review will be carried out; when he expects it to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22043/03]
My Department is undertaking a review of the local radio licensing regime in Ireland and is at present in the process of engaging advisors to assist in this review. The independent advisers will be required to report to me by the end of the year.
The terms of reference for the review of licensing of radio services in Ireland are to conduct a review of the processes through which radio licences are awarded in Ireland, having regard to comparative international experience and to make recommendations on the licensing of services in the future. The review is to address the following issues: objectives: describe current objectives of radio licensing; evaluate whether there is a need to revisit objectives having regard to changes in Irish society and in broadcasting markets; consider the existing power of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, including power to decide the type of services to be provided and franchise areas; process: describe and evaluate existing licensing processes; evaluate existing roles of the executive of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and of the commission; evaluate the need for independent-outside expertise in licensing process; explore options for an appeals mechanism in relation to licensing decisions; structural: consider what and who should be licensed; consider the terms of existing and future licences, including duration; consider the issue of licence roll-over; consider barriers to market entry; policy interface: evaluate existing policy interface.
178 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the International Energy Association's recent review of the energy market here. [22067/03]
The 2003 IEA in-depth review of the energy policies of Ireland was undertaken by a team of energy policy specialists drawn from the member countries of the IEA. The review process occurs every four years and comprises a critical assessment of the country's performance against the IEA's shared goals evaluation criteria, which include energy efficiency, flexibility, open markets and environmental sustainability.
I welcome the report particularly as it highlights the fact that Ireland has made excellent progress on market reform in the electricity and natural gas sectors and this ultimately will encourage the growth of a cheaper, more secure energy sector. However, the review also shows that further efforts are needed to deliver more comprehensive market reform in electricity by ensuring the unimpeded entry of new competitors and in addressing the dominance of the incumbent utility. Achieving market reform, energy security and climate change mitigation simultaneously is also a major challenge.
This review, which offers an independent, outside perspective on Irish energy policy, will be a valuable resource, contributing an expert, objective view which will make a significant contribution to ongoing policy formulation in the energy sector.
