Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I appreciate the comments and the like-minds on the continuation of a licence for seven years in the case of uncontested applications. With regard to amendment No. 108, section 134 provides that the BCI may extend by four years the terms of an FM sound broadcasting contractor, provided the sound broadcasting contractor concerned is willing to provide its sound broadcasting services on a digital sound broadcasting multiplex. DAB radio is up and running in north-east Dublin, Cork and Limerick, is managed by RTE and has about ten channels. The BCI can licence commercial DAB and plans to begin that in the autumn. We are, therefore, developing our digital radio service.

Senators have argued that the extension period of four years is insufficient to encourage stations to simulcast on the radio, but I am not completely convinced by that argument. While there would be costs for broadcasters that chose to take on that simulcast in digital format, there also would be benefits and opportunities associated in a digital environment.

I will keep the issue under review as the Bill progresses, but I do not propose at this stage to accept Senator Phelan's amendment.