Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if parish church broadcasting services which were discontinued by order of the Regulator have been or will be restored without undue cost to the consumer. [26530/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for the management of the radio spectrum in Ireland.

ComReg recently launched a licensing scheme that will allow religious and community organisations to transmit services and events, such as religious services, for the benefit of people in local communities throughout the country. The spectrum allocated for the scheme is in a frequency band which will not cause interference to other services using spectrum, including emergency and aviation services.

The regulations governing the issue of these licences required my consent as Minister for Communications, under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926. ComReg advised Church representatives that while they did not require churches to discontinue relaying services, they expect all parishes to comply with the new licensing arrangements which came into effect on 30 June.