Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals in regard to future legislation for local and community radios with particular reference to the need to retain local interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11478/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill proposes the establishment of a Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to regulate the three principal categories of broadcaster — public service broadcasters, commercial broadcasters and community broadcasters.

Head 2 of the draft general scheme proposes the following legal definition of a community broadcaster:

"a broadcaster providing a broadcasting service that:

a. is provided for local or community interest purposes;

b. is not operated for profit or as part of a profit-making enterprise; and

c. is representative of the locality or community of interest concerned."

As the deputy will be aware, the draft general scheme was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for the purposes of public consultation under the eConsultation initiative in September 2006.

It is understood that the Joint Committee will shortly report its findings on the outcome of the consultation process to the Houses of the Oireachtas. I propose to introduce the consequent Broadcasting Bill into the Houses of the Oireachtas during the course of 2007 in the light of the outcome of the Joint Committee's findings.