Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I would like to reply to two points. There is, as set out in Part 6 of the Bill, a clear mechanism for co-operation between ComReg and BCI in that regard. They work together and there is a resolution process for both of them and the broadcasting authority of Ireland, BAI, when it is formed, to resolve such issues.

Deputy Coveney raised the issue of "must offer", "must carry" on free-to-air programming. That is a broad principle I seek to enshrine so that free-to-air is actually free-to-air. I want to ensure we enshrine the ability for a variety of platforms to carry what may be publicly funded programming. I agree this is a direction from the political system that this is free-to-air. It is free to different platforms. The "must offer" obligation encapsulates that. It does not determine exactly what the contract arrangements are and does not determine who one can deal with, but provides flexibility.

See this speech in context