Vol. 523 No. 2
120 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to reports that the EU Competition Commissioner, Mario Monti, may be proposing guidelines to limit the amount of money that state funded broadcasters can raise from advertising; if she has sought or intends to seek clarification from the commissioner in view of the potential implications for RTÉ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20236/00]
I am aware of reports of the nature referred to by the Deputy. However, no draft guidelines have been published or circulated. In common with the other member states of the European Union, I will be giving the most careful consideration to any draft guidelines that may be produced by Commissioner Monti. My position, which is a position shared by all the member states, is that public service broadcasting, as recognised by the protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty must be upheld and cannot be allowed to be undermined.
Question No. 121 taken with Question 107.
