Vol. 483 No. 5
58 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to foster independent radio networks; if she has provided a fund to set up and maintain transmission sites for local radios; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20623/97]
Statutory responsibility for the independent broadcasting sector rests with the Independent Radio and Television Commission.
I am at present considering how best to give effect to the priority identified in the Government's Action Programme for the Millennium in relation to this sector. I do not believe that, in the current environment, a piecemeal approach to broadcasting is in the public interest. Accordingly it is my intention to address this issue in the context of a comprehensive range of legislative measures dealing with broadcasting generally which I hope to present to the Oireachtas in 1998.
