Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the date on which applications will be made to the BCI innovation fund; the process by which they will be determined by the BCI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17827/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003, provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, would be responsible for drawing up the scheme through which the fund can be accessed. During the course of 2004, the BCI developed and published a draft scheme and consulted widely on it. However, before the scheme can become operational, two formal approvals are required. First, under section 2(1) of the 2003 Act, the BCI is required to submit a draft scheme to me for approval. The draft scheme was formally submitted for approval to the Department by the BCI in December 2004.

Second, EU Regulations 659/1999 and 794/2004 require Ireland to formally notify the EU Commission of all aid schemes to ensure compatibility with EU State aid and competition rules. To this end, a copy of the draft scheme was sent to the Commission in mid-January in order to seek its initial views. Towards the end of March, the Commission indicated it did not see any major problems with the scheme. Accordingly, my Department formally notified the Commission on 28 April. Under the procedural regulations, the EU Commission has a period of two months to make a decision, although this period may be extended with the consent of the member state concerned. I await the outcome of the Commission's deliberations.