Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

I thank the Minister for her reply. The Minister knows the importance of the media in any democracy. It is important that this is recognised by statute and that an amendment is made to include a definition of "media". The definition of "media business" also needs to be defined and amended to include the publication of newspapers and periodicals and the broadcast of certain audio-visual material over the Internet because this is where much is happening.

I tabled this question because more and more newspapers and television and radio stations are becoming concentrated in the hands of a few; the Minister will accept this is the case. Her job is to protect the public interest. Therefore, I put it to her that the relevant criteria which she is examining with regard to the public interest is too narrow as defined in the Competition Act. This needs to be expanded to include the new forms of media presentation. This is extremely important to ensure plurality in the ownership of the media. Does the Minister consider that media ownership at present is concentrated in too few hands?

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