Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Perhaps I will have an opportunity to speak to the Deputies in private about this issue. It was raised with me by the National Union of Journalists, it has been examined by my Department and a response is being forwarded to the union. I can speak to the Deputies individually on the issue.

Media mergers will be included in the new legislation. In normal circumstances we would have been in a position to have this legislation before the House as part of the review of the Competition Act but we are now adding on the mergers of both organisations. It is my intention to include the recommendations on media mergers in the new Bill, arising from the review that took place.

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