Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On Tuesday this week I supported the call from Senator Bacik to have, at the earliest possible opportunity, a debate on the media and media ownership in the context of what we expected to be reported from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy White. I understand the Minister, Deputy White, yesterday launched some type of policy guide or initiative. I repeat the need to have an urgent debate on media ownership and the desirability of having a balance of ownership in Irish media. I do so in the context of the recent pronouncement from the Competition Authority in respect of Ryanair's supposed dominance of the Irish market and the view of the Competition Authority that, from an air travel perspective, competition is not only desirable but necessary. What is good for free trade and free travel should also not only be good but also necessary for the media. The need for a fair and balanced media presentation is vital in our democracy and media ownership is central to that debate.

The disappointing thing about the pronouncement yesterday from the Minister, Deputy White, is that any proposals that would stem from his policy document will not be retrospective. This means not only that any current dominance in the media will not be challenged but also that it will be literally copper-fastened in law. It is some since the Tánaiste, Deputy Burton, spoke about what she described as the possible Berlusconi media complex in Ireland. At least in the case of Mr. Berlusconi, while he had a particular agenda, he stood for election.