Vol. 546 No. 4
21 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she is satisfied with the legislative framework for ownership and control of the broadcast media here; her plans for amendments to the legislation in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31806/01]
The Broadcasting Act, 2001, which was enacted earlier this year, was the first major broadcasting legislation in more than ten years. I have no plans at present to bring forward further amending legislation in this area.
On the question of ownership and control of the independent broadcast media, including both television and radio, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, formerly the Independent Radio and Television Commission, has statutory responsibility in this regard under Parts 3 and 4 of the Radio and Television Act, 1988, and section 60 of the Broadcasting Act, 2001. I have no statutory function in this matter.
Is the Minister concerned that earlier this year UTV acquired 60% of County Sound in Cork and that, more recently, Scottish Radio Holdings acquired 100% of Today FM? Scottish Radio Holdings also owns four local newspapers. Does the Minister have concerns about cross ownership and editorial independence? Is she concerned that dominant positions in media ownership and cross media ownership can evolve from the position being taken by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland?
The issue of ownership of the independent broadcast media is a matter for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, formerly the Independent Radio and Television Commission. The commission is statutorily independent in devising and implementing policy in relation to this. The Deputy will be aware that in October the BCI published a policy statement on ownership and control of the independent broadcasting media. This matter should be addressed to the BCI, not to the Minister, as the BCI is statutorily independent in devising and implementing such policy.
If the BCI is to have overall responsibility for dealing with national assets in broadcasting, assets which are limited and given out by licence, would it not be in the national interest that the Government have a say in the long-term ownership of these facilities?
The BCI report refers to its responsibility to formulate and apply a policy that takes account of plurality of ownership and diversity of content in broadcasting. The report states that the commission undertook a wide ranging public consultation process with the broadcast sector and the public before producing its report. This is a matter for the BCI. It was important that the consultation process took place and the commission ensured it did. On foot of that, it published its policy document on ownership and control of the independent broadcast media. This issue is specifically the responsibility of the BCI.
The Minister will recall that the Labour Party brought a Bill before the House dealing with this area. She can tell Members that it is a matter for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland but the law is made in this Chamber. A policy paper has been published by the BCI which has potentially serious implications for press freedom in this country. The Minister cannot blithely say it is not a matter for her but for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.
The Deputy says we are here to legislate and that is what we did. The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has statutory responsibility under section 60 of the Broadcasting Act and under Parts 3 and 4 of the Radio and Television Act. That was decided in the House and it is now law. It is to comply with that law that the BCI independently supplied its policy document on the issue of ownership.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
