Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I move amendment No. 64:

In page 76, line 12, to delete "applicant" and substitute "application".

Amendments Nos. 64 to 66, inclusive, are minor drafting amendments necessary to excise errors and improve the clarity and consistency of the text of the Bill. Amendments Nos. 69 and 70 arise as a consequence of the Committee Stage amendment to section 77, which placed a "must carry" obligation in respect of the Houses of the Oireachtas channel and the Irish film channel on the provider of an appropriate network, for example, a digital cable network. Amendment No. 70 amends subsection (7) of section 77 to preclude an appropriate network provider, such as a cable operator, from levying a specific charge on viewers in respect of assessing the Houses of the Oireachtas channel or the Irish film channel.

Amendment No. 69 amends subsection (2) of section 77 to empower the Minister to make an order on foot of a proposal from the broadcasting authority of Ireland to remove the "must carry" obligation in respect of broadcasts of the Houses of the Oireachtas channel or the Irish film channel from a particular class of appropriate network provider, for example, networks not used by sufficient numbers as a primary means of receiving such broadcasts. This is in line with the European view that "must carry" obligations should not be imposed in a disproportionate manner.

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