Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total number of local or independent radio broadcasting stations currently in operation; the number of licences originally issued to local or independent broadcasters; the number which have subsequently been taken over by national or multinational entities; if the concept of local broadcasting is assured in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35863/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland was responsible for the licensing of local and commercial broadcasters up until 30 September 2009. This responsibility rests with the newly established Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with effect from 1 October 2009. The Commission was, and the Authority is, an independent statutory body and I have no function in this matter. Information on such issues is obtainable from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and from their website www.bai.ie Part 6 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 deals with broadcasting contracts for commercial and community broadcasters. This Part recognises the continued importance and need for community broadcasting, and sets out the conditions under which such licences can be granted.