Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he has finalised his proposals in the context of the broadcasting Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3659/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he has finalised his proposals in the context of the broadcasting Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3976/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 310 together.

Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill. I expect to bring these proposals to Government in the third quarter of this year, with publication of the Bill by end 2005.

The principal objectives of the legislative proposals are as follows: the establishment of a single content regulator for both private and public service broadcasters as recommended by the forum on broadcasting; the establishment of RTE as a commercial company under the Companies Acts 1963 to 2003; the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the television licence fee; the development of the right of reply mechanism, allowing persons whose reputation and good name have been damaged by an assertion of incorrect facts in a television or radio programme to gain redress.

It is intended that the single content regulator will combine the existing regulatory functions of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the RTE authority. The new regulator will play a key role in any mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the television licence fee with the twin goals of ensuring value for television licence fee payers and the development of public service broadcasting in Ireland. It is also proposed that any recommendations for legislative change arising from the review of radio licensing will be incorporated in the new Broadcasting Bill.