Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will have consultations with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and such other persons as he or she considers appropriate. Obviously, there is some discretion for the Minister but the purpose of the measure is to allow him or her to carry out his or her functions under the Bill, which is to consider media mergers that might not be in the public interest. Clearly, if he or she is developing guidelines, he or she will want to embrace those who have a view. Obviously, such consultations would be held by way of invitations of interest in making such guidelines.

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