Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 660: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he proposes to introduce legislative requirements in regard to subtitling throughout the broadcasting spectrum with a view to providing a proper service to persons with hearing difficulties; if such proposals will be incorporated in the broadcasting Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2206/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 568 of 28 September 2005.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 661: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to proceed with the broadcasting Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2207/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The priority issues to be addressed by the legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill are as follows: the establishment of a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters; the establishment of RTE as a 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; and 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.

Work on developing the legislative proposals is continuing and I anticipate that the broadcasting Bill is on course for publication during 2006.