I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 93, 171 and 172 together.
Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new Broadcasting Bill. I expect I will be in a position to bring proposals to Government in the third quarter of this year, with publication of the Bill by end 2005.
The principal objectives of the legislative proposals are as follows: the establishment of a single content regulator for both private and public service broadcasters as recommended by the forum on broadcasting; the establishment of RTÉ as a commercial company under the Companies Acts 1963 to 2003; the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the television licence fee; the development of the right of reply mechanism, allowing persons whose reputation and good name have been damaged by an assertion of incorrect facts in a television or radio programme to gain redress.
Discussions with broadcasters and other interested parties on broadcasting policy matters occur on a regular basis. The views and concerns expressed in such discussions are considered in the context of the development of legislative proposals.