Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

That is the position as far as I can see. We will keep the matter under review and consider the synergy to be gained. Let us consider what would have to be done were there to be such a unified regulatory system. One would have to consider everything in the Bill, including all the provisions, such as those related to codes, right of reply, or structures in RTE. All of the detail of the Bill would be still required.

There is a certain urgency with the matter because it has taken some time to get the Bill to this stage. While I can appreciate the argument and understand some of the thinking behind it, at this stage that is not the correct or appropriate step to take. We do not envisage a great, new bureaucratic structure. Such are the constraints and difficulties at present that the proposed new regulatory system will not have substantial additional resources, or will not be able to consider major additional costs to be applied to the broadcasting sector via these levies. It must be a very efficient, tight service which builds on the successes that existed in the past 20 years.

Recently, I attended the annual event for broadcasters. Let us consider the introduction of local radio stations, some 20 of which were founded in 1988. The sector has been a significant success and one reason for this has been the success of the independent regulatory system. The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, its standards, its logic and the thinking it has applied in terms of standards and licensing has worked well. The system has worked and continues to work well. I support the system by recognising that work and reconfiguring the commission into a new authority, by giving it additional powers over the public service broadcasters, additional codes and additional systems that it must manage. I am confident it can manage these changes. Given that it works well, I believe our current structures are right and appropriate and not something I intend to turn upside down.

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