Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

These amendments have the potential to be one of the success stories to emerge from the Committee Stage debate. Amendment No. 63 proposes that we should replace the period of seven years with one of ten in the aftermath of a fast-track application process for the awarding of a contract licence. It should not be forgotten that this will give the authority the power to grant a licence that will not exceed ten years. If the authority deems it so appropriate, it may impose contract extensions of only seven years or five years. I welcome what the Minister is doing in these amendments because there will be cases where a ten-year period will be appropriate.

It is nonsensical to require radio stations to apply for licence renewals on a regular basis and to foot the cost relating to that laborious process. It is important that broadcasters will be provided with a degree of certainty that will allow them to put in place the necessary investment programmes to allow them to build up their audiences and their broadcasting capacity. I am sure the industry will appreciate the provision of a ten-year period.

The Minister proposes to increase the maximum period relating to digital radio licences from four years to six. He has come a considerable way in that regard and, in such circumstances, I will be happy to withdraw the relevant amendment in my name.

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