Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
151 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to his discussions with the EU on proposals to regulate foreign television stations broadcasting into Ireland; when he expects that this matter will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5859/04]
View answerAs I stated in reply to Question No. 156 on 11 November 2003, the television without frontiers directive regulates the reception and retransmission of television broadcasts from one member state to another. The EU Commission is conducting a review of the directive. Last year the Commission invited submissions from interested parties. In its formal submission to the Commission Ireland suggested the directive should be amended to ensure a broadcasting service originating in one member state but intended primarily for reception in another member state should be subject to the broadcasting standards of the member state at which it is primarily directed. It is reasonable to expect that Irish broadcasting standards should be applied to television channels intended primarily for reception in Ireland. A copy of Ireland's submission is available on my Department's website.
In December 2003 the EU Commission published its communication on the future of regulatory audiovisual policy. The communication has indicated a number of areas that merit further consideration and that the Commission will establish focus groups or undertake studies to advance its thinking in these areas. The Commission expects the work of these groups and studies will be undertaken in 2004 and 2005. While it is a matter for the Commission to bring forward proposals to amend the directive, I do not expect such proposals before the second half of 2005. I intend to continue to pursue the question of the regulation of services primarily targeted at Ireland as the review progresses.
