Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 1599 of the 29 September 2010, if he will provide an update on the current situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45994/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provisions in relation to the submission of the Authority's three-year estimates and expenditure proposals and their publication are set out in section 37 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

In relation to the estimates for the period 2011-2013, I can confirm that these estimates were submitted to my Department by the Authority on 29th October 2010. My Department is continuing to engage with the Authority in relation to the provision of certain further information in accordance with the provisions of Section 37 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

In relation to publication, the legislation requires that, subject to the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, the Authority shall publish its 3-year estimates or a summary of them on a website maintained by the Authority. I am very much aware that both public and commercial broadcasters will be keen to view the Authority's expenditure proposals as early as possible and it is my intention to facilitate this as much as practicable.