Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to legislate to ensure the retention of maximum free to air broadcasting or transmission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20753/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My core policy objectives in relation to broadcasting as outlined in my Department's Statement of Strategy published in July 2005 are as follows: to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTÉ; to secure a viable future for high quality public service broadcasting; and, to seek to retain access to a range of high quality programming in analogue and digital form, on a universal and free-to-air basis.

My intention in framing the legislative proposals that will form the basis of the new Broadcasting Bill is to ensure that the broadcasting regulatory environment continues to reflect these policy objectives, in particular the need to ensure continued access for Irish viewers to a range of high quality programming on a universal and free-to-air basis.

The priority issues to be addressed by the Broadcasting Bill are as follows: the establishment of a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters; the establishment of RTÉ as a company under the Companies Acts; 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.