Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the submission he received from the National Newspapers of Ireland regarding unfair competition by RTE; his further views on the NNI's concerns regarding unfair competition in relation to RTE's online services in particular; if he is satisfied that his Department and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland are monitoring the situation sufficiently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37789/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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As I outlined to the House in a written reply on the 29th September I have received a detailed written submission from National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) on a number of matters of concern to them. I met with representatives of NNI on the 13th of October when they gave me a comprehensive briefing on the issues facing their industry.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out, inter alia, the principal objects and associated powers and obligations of the public service broadcasting corporations, RTÉ and TG4. On the specific issue raised by the Deputy, one of the principal objects of RTÉ under Section 114(1)(b) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 is to establish and maintain a website in connection with its services and the allocation of public funding, vis-À-vis the licence fee, in pursuing this public service object is fully in line with the provisions of the legislation. Section 108 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 clearly envisages that the commercial activities undertaken by RTÉ in the exploitation of its commercial opportunities, for example on-line, shall be used to subsidise its public service mandate.

The Act also imposes extensive reporting requirements on the two corporations in regard to the pursuit of their objects and compliance with relevant obligations. These reporting requirements are supplemented by ex-ante and ex-post Ministerial and regulatory oversight mechanisms that are being used, when and as appropriate.

With regard to the wider issues raised I intend to organise a digital forum, in the near future, that will examine how Ireland can best embrace the advent of the digital era. As a major initial step, I will convene before the end of the year a one day gathering of key stakeholders. This event would set the agenda for the priority issues requiring further consideration in the ever changing digital media environment, including, inter-alia, new media platforms and their effect on traditional media outlets. I welcome NNI's agreement to input into this initiative and look forward to engaging further with NNI in this context in the near future.