Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to introduce legislation governing the broadcasting sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26537/06]

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 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. 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 needed to address these issues is continuing. I anticipate that I will be in a position to bring the proposals to Government shortly with publication of the Broadcasting Bill in 2006.

My intention in framing the legislative proposals will be to ensure that the broadcasting regulatory environment continues to encourage the parallel development of high quality broadcasting by Irish public service, commercial and community broadcasters.