Seanad debates
Tuesday, 10 June 2003
Adjournment Matters. - Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.
I welcome the decision by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, toexamine the role and composition of the BCI. It is farcical that a commission composed of people with absolutely no broadcasting experience should have the power to award valuable, commercial broadcasting licences. I welcome the commitment by the Minister to review the method of awarding commercial licences by the BCI but it is too late for North West Radio, or is it? Does the Minister have any power vested in him under the Radio and Television Act 1988 to put a stay on the award of a licence? Does he have the power to revoke a BCI decision where the decision made is patently unjustified and unjustifiable? If he has such power, he should use it to right what is an utter travesty.
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