Michael McDowell
Ceist:15 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he intends implementing any of the recommendations contained in the report of the Commission on the Newspaper Industry. [19224/96]
Written Answers. - Report on Newspaper Industry.
On 17 July 1996, I presented the report to Government and published the report on 30 July, 1996.
The report has made wide-ranging recommendations spanning several Departments including the Departments of Enterprise and Employment, Finance, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications and Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
The Government decided that I would co-ordinate the work of the various Departments in relation to the recommendations. Substantial work has been done and I hope to be in a position to report to Government shortly on progress in respect of the recommendations. As I indicated at the launch of the report, I accept the assessment by the Commission of the important role of the indigenous newspaper industry to reflect our national identity and provide for plurality and diversity of opinions and I indicated my support in principle for their recommendations in regard to the matters within the remit of my Department, such as regulation of ownership changes, merger control and assistance from the Labour Relations Commission. I hope to be in a position to quickly act on many of these.
In some instances there are complex legal issues that have to be assessed before definite decisions can be taken in relation to the recommendations. This work is receiving priority within my Department.