Radio Broadcasting.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2006

Thursday, 19 October 2006

Questions (85)

Gay Mitchell

Question:

70 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of licensed local radio stations currently operating here; the number operating under their original management and control; the number controlled by major national or international companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33554/06]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Under the Radio and Television Act, 1988 and the Broadcasting Act, 2001, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has statutory responsibility for the licensing of independent radio services. It is an independent statutory body and I have no function in relation to the compilation of statistics on the number of licences issued. The information requested should be available from the BCI annual report, the BCI website www.bci.ie or directly from the BCI.