Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it is intended to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the advisory group on media mergers published on 2 January 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13366/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the media provisions of the Competition Act 2002, my role as the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment involves consideration of media mergers in the context of the "relevant criteria" set out in section 23 (10) of the Act. These criteria essentially relate to diversity and plurality, the strength and competitiveness of the media businesses indigenous to the State and the dispersion of media ownership among individuals and other undertakings.

In 2008, my predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Micheál Martin, initiated a review of the legislative provisions applying to media mergers. This was aimed at examining the criteria and arrangements for considering and assessing how a proposed merger might affect the diversity of views and the concentration of ownership within and across media businesses.

The media merger advisory group was established to assist in this review, which was undertaken as part of my Department's wider review of the operation and implementation of the Competition Act 2002. My Department is currently considering the recommendations contained in the advisory group's report. It is my intention to bring forward legislation during the course of this year which will reform aspects of competition law, including with regard to media mergers and which will also implement the merger of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority as announced in October last year.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for her reply. The Minister knows the importance of the media in any democracy. It is important that this is recognised by statute and that an amendment is made to include a definition of "media". The definition of "media business" also needs to be defined and amended to include the publication of newspapers and periodicals and the broadcast of certain audio-visual material over the Internet because this is where much is happening.

I tabled this question because more and more newspapers and television and radio stations are becoming concentrated in the hands of a few; the Minister will accept this is the case. Her job is to protect the public interest. Therefore, I put it to her that the relevant criteria which she is examining with regard to the public interest is too narrow as defined in the Competition Act. This needs to be expanded to include the new forms of media presentation. This is extremely important to ensure plurality in the ownership of the media. Does the Minister consider that media ownership at present is concentrated in too few hands?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I should not care to answer that question.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Everyone knows that it is. Certainly if one is on the left of the spectrum, it is concentrated in too few hands.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The reason this was introduced in the first place is exactly as Deputy Penrose stated. The issue of relevant criteria and their expansion is very important and is being evaluated. I had anticipated more retort or at least more response from outside the Department on this issue when the report was launched. Unfortunately, we did not receive a huge amount of traction on it.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Many people did not know the report was launched.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I launched it.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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The Minister launched it on 2 January.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Yes. It is out there.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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We thought it was a bad day.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I thought there would be an avalanche but there has not been. I am very conscious of the relevant criteria and I believe that plurality is extremely important. We are working through a number of the recommendations. Deputy Penrose is correct that one of the recommendations is on the new types of media and this will be incorporated.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Will it be before the end of the year?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, it must be because of other legislation. If Deputy Penrose wishes to put forward a view, I will be happy to take it on board.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I thank the Minister.