I received the report and recommendation from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland regarding the proposed media merger referred to by the Deputy on 9 May 2017.
In accordance with the relevant legislation I have 20 working days from the date of receipt of this report and recommendation within which I must make a final determination to allow the proposed media merger to proceed; to allow the proposed media merger to proceed with conditions; or to refuse to allow the proposed media merger to proceed. Therefore, the date by which I must make my determination is 6 June 2016.
In making this determination I shall have regard to this report and recommendation and a number of other matters detailed in the relevant legislation.
I shall publish, in accordance with the relevant legislation, my determination, the report and recommendation of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, and the opinion of the advisory panel when this process is concluded. The timescale within which these shall be published is prescribed in the legislation as being between 15 and 30 days after the date of my determination.