Consumer Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2012

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Ceisteanna (273)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

350 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if it is anticipated that responsibility for matters relating to regulation or operational rules in respect of the print media is likely to pass to his Department; if he has had any discussions or met with any of the individual stakeholders or their representatives, principal figures or organisations in the media in this regard; if any issues arising are likely to be dealt with by way of the promised Competition Bill or otherwise; if he or his Department have made or are likely to make submissions as to the degree to which the Competition Bill might impact on the print of electronic media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30998/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte)

In July 2011, the Government approved the heads of the Consumer and Competition Bill. The Bill will reconfigure the existing measures governing media mergers in this State and will include the transfer of these powers to my Department.

There has been ongoing contact at Ministerial and Official levels between the two Departments on this matter. My Department has in particular provided the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with a series of suggested amendments relating to the matter on the Draft Heads of the Competition Bill.

I have met with most stakeholder interests in the media sector including, since last July, the newspaper sector. I have met representatives of the National Newspapers of Ireland; I have met the Board of the Press Council and I have met separately with the then CEO of INM, Gavin O'Reilly and the Chairman of Communicorp, Denis O'Brien at their request.