Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if it is intended in the context of the Broadcasting Bill to provide for subtitling with a view to meeting the requirements of persons with hearing deficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38752/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Subsections 11 to 13 of Section 19 of the Broadcasting Act 2001 empower the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) to make rules requiring each broadcaster to take specified steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment, by persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, of programmes transmitted by that broadcaster. The rules drawn up by the BCI following a comprehensive public consultation process came into effect in 2005.

Subheads 5, 13 and 14 of Head 41 of the draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill re-state the existing requirements of Section 19 of the Broadcasting Act 2001.

As the Deputy is already aware, the draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill has been submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for the purposes of public consultation under the eConsultation initiative.