Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends to encourage and facilitate ready and equal access through broadcasting for indigenous performers competing on the national airwaves with all others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37148/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The policy approach in regard to the imposition of programming obligations on broadcasters is set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. In the case of commercial radio broadcasters, in submitting their initial licensing applications to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), they put forward commitments in regard to how they will deal with a range of broadcast issues including public service commitments and, where appropriate, more specific commitments, for instance, in regard to the playing of Irish music. If they are successful in their applications, these commitments form part of the terms and conditions of their actual licence.

In the case of the public service broadcasters, these corporations publish detailed commitments on an annual basis setting out how they intend to meet their public service obligations and objects as set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. These include a specific object in regard to ensuring that programmes reflect "the varied elements which make up the culture of the people of the island of Ireland, and have special regard for the elements which distinguish that culture and in particular for the Irish language". The extent to which the commitments entered into by our two public service broadcast corporations are complied with is reviewed annually by the BAI.

This policy approach is seen as the most appropriate in dealing with the differing requirements of commercial and public service broadcasting. The introduction of specific quotas can lead to a position of strict adherence to the minimum by those on whom they are imposed and renewed lobbying by those that they are supposed to favour for further increases in the relevant quota. In this context, I am aware that there is ongoing engagement between the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) with a view to developing further opportunities for Irish music within the context of the current licensing framework.