Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

Recommendation No. 2 of the Sreenan commission on media mergers stated the Competition Act should be amended to incorporate a statutory definition of the test for the public interest. That would be important in helping the Minister to discharge his or her functions. It recognises by implication the influence media has to play in a democracy where it can have a wide sphere of influence. Will the Minister agree it is important the legislation is published soon in order that everyone, including media companies, can have full clarity of the procedures involved? What would be the relevant criteria, set out in recommendation No. 3, that would underpin the public interest?

I support the criteria set out by the advisory group that it is undesirable to allow any one individual or undertaking to hold significant influence in a sector or across different sectors of media business in the State. Such an approach will necessitate the promotion of plurality in media businesses in the State.

Recently, I read a Sunday Independent article by Darragh McDowell on Gina Rinehart, the richest woman in the world who accumulated her person wealth from mining and who, overnight, increased her stake in the Australian company, Fairfax Media, from 12.5% to 19%. She now demands three seats on the board, the right to hire or fire editors of Fairfax titles while refusing to endorse the group's principles on editorial independence. This is in Australia and I am aware Ireland is small with a population of 4.5 million people. However, this is what can happen in media ownership. Will the Minister ensure this legislation gets priority in the autumn session and is introduced in one unit? If there is foot dragging or another hiccup with the legislation, will he sever the element that deals with media mergers and introduce it is a self-contained Bill to the House to ensure it is on the Statute Book as soon as possible?

See this speech in context