Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 151: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the need to introduce measures to protect children from the marketing of unhealthy goods to children through the Internet and through cable and satellite television as the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland code only covers terrestrial broadcasting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37085/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Section 19(1)(c) of the Broadcasting Act 2001, provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland shall prepare a code specifying standards to be complied with and rules and practices to be observed in respect of advertising on both television and radio which relate to matters likely to be of direct or indirect interest to children.

The commission published a children's advertising code, which came into effect on 1 January 2005. The drafting, monitoring and review of the code are functions which the Oireachtas has provided the commission with statutory responsibility for and in respect of which I have no role. The commission's codes apply to all radio and television channels licensed in Ireland. In the case of television channels, the codes and rules apply to such services whether transmitted by terrestrial means or on cable, MMDS or satellite platforms. The codes do not apply to television channels licensed in other EU member states.

In the context of the forthcoming broadcasting Bill, I will consider whether the existing legislative provisions need to be updated to take account of new and emerging delivery platforms for broadcasting services.