Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to approve the acquisition of Sappho Limited from Landmark Media Investments by The Irish Times DAC? The proposed acquisition of the Irish Examinerincludes the Evening Echo, the Roscommon Herald, the Western People, the Waterford News and Star, the Laois Nationalist, the Kildare Nationalist, the Carlow Nationalistand three radio stations. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, stated that it had cleared the deal following an extensive phase 2 investigation. Under media merger rules, the Minister, Deputy Naughten, must now make a separate assessment of any impact that the deal will have on media plurality. The Irish Times DAC has secured clearance from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, which licenses radio stations.

I will declare a personal interest, that being, the survival of excellent local newspapers like the Roscommon Herald, the Western Peopleand so on in this highly competitive industry.