Written answers

Thursday, 3 April 2008

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Departmental Bodies

5:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will explain the terms of reference, mandate, reporting deadline and purpose of the advisory group on media ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12611/08]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the membership and qualifications of each of the members of the advisory group on media ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12612/08]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.

As the Deputy is aware, a review of the operation and implementation of the Competition Act 2002 is underway. In the context of this review, I have established an Advisory Group to review the current legislative framework relating to the public interest aspects of media mergers in Ireland.

My role under the media provisions in the Act involves considering media mergers in the context of the relevant criteria set out in Section 23(10) of the Competition Act. These criteria essentially relate to diversity/plurality, the strength and competitiveness of media businesses indigenous to the State and the dispersion of media ownership amongst individuals and other undertakings. In the context of the ongoing review, I believe it is appropriate to examine the criteria and arrangements for considering and assessing how a proposed merger might affect the diversity of views and the concentration of ownership within and across media businesses.

The Terms of Reference for the Group are: To review and consider the current levels of plurality and diversity in the media sector in Ireland; To examine and review the relevant criteria as currently defined in the Act; To examine and consider how the application of the relevant criteria should be given effect and by whom; To examine the role of the Minister in assessing the relevant criteria from a public interest perspective and the best mechanism to do so; To examine international best practice including the applicability of models from others countries; and to make recommendations, as appropriate, on the above.

The members of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers are as follows:

Mr. Paul Sreenan, Senior Counsel (Chair)

Professor Colum Kenny, Dublin City University (DCU)

Ms Olive Braiden, Arts Council

Mr. Michael O'Keeffe, Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI)

Mr. Peter Cassells, National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP)

Mr. Marc Coleman, Author, Broadcaster and Writer

Mr. John Herlihy, Chief Executive, Google Ireland

I have asked the Group to report to me within three months.

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