Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with the various service providers in the broadcasting area in the context of future legislative proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14523/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with the various service providers in the broadcasting area in the context of future legislative proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14753/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals in regard to the early introduction of promised legislation on broadcasting; his preferred options in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14755/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 93, 171 and 172 together.

Work is continuing on the development of legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new Broadcasting Bill. I expect I will be in a position to bring 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 RTÉ 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.

Discussions with broadcasters and other interested parties on broadcasting policy matters occur on a regular basis. The views and concerns expressed in such discussions are considered in the context of the development of legislative proposals.