Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
292. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the guidelines that regulate the promotion of Irish music on airplay on Irish radio and television; her plans to introduce additional regulations particularly with regard to setting a percentage quota requirement for Irish music on radio and television; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44981/20]
View answerI am strongly supportive of the promotion of Irish music on our broadcasting services. Ireland has a strong and vibrant music sector, which is recognised across the world. As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I am keen to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to further nurture and protect this sector.
However, I am conscious of the legal and other factors which must be taken into account when considering the feasibility of introducing airplay quotas. The potential benefit to music production in Ireland must be balanced with the rights of broadcasters, subject to their contractual or regulatory obligations, to determine the type of content they wish to broadcast and to ensure commercial revenue particularly in the context of the current media climate. Importantly, the introduction of airplay quotas would need to be consistent with EU law.
An example of airplay quotas in the EU can be seen in France. In 1994, France introduced a mandatory quota for 40% airplay of French language music on French radio stations, this quota was reduced to 35% in 2016. Any quota for airplay would be considered to restrict free movement of services by placing music meeting certain criteria in a more advantaged position. However, a quota for airplay of music in a particular language, as is the case in France, can be justified under EU case law, as the preservation and promotion of an official language of a Member State constitutes a general interest objective. Unlike music in a particular language, a quota system for music produced in a particular place, as suggested in this question, does not appear to have grounds for exemption from the general requirements of EU law. Therefore, without a similar justification on the grounds of linguistic protection, a quota for music produced in a particular Member State would be considered to restrict free movement of services by placing music produced in other Member States at a disadvantage.
Given the legal challenges arising, the Government is not currently considering airplay quotas based on production location. I will however continue to support Irish musicians and musical content, though initiatives within my Department and through funding for the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the state body through which the Government funds the arts, including music, in Ireland. Arts Council funding has increased from €80m at the beginning of last year to €130m this year – an increase of over 60%. I also provided significant targeted funding last year for music and musicians including very successful national events - Other Voices: Courage, the Hot Press Young and Emerging series, Ireland Performs and the Music Industry Stimulus Package. A very significant proportion of over €5m allocated to the Live Performance Support Scheme was allocated to musicians. In 2021, the Government has allocated €50m for live performance. These benefits are over and above economy wide supports, principally the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. My Department will continue to engage with the sector to tailor supports to the needs of musicians and other artists. I appointed a number of musicians to the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce.
I am also conscious of the challenges faced by the live music sector as a result of necessary public health restrictions. To complement the live performance and music industry support package I have put in place, I have requested that the BAI will include a special emphasis on applications that support the live music sector within a general round of Sound and Vision to be put in place in Q1 2021 and I have provided additional funding of €1.4m to support this.
