Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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1554. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 11 March 2015, the specific measures, legislative or otherwise, he plans to assist Irish musicians and bands in accessing airplay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23908/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Programming obligations are imposed on broadcasters in the Broadcasting Act 2009, which also sets out the objects of the national public service broadcasters. In pursuit of these objects RTÉ and TG4 are charged, inter-alia, with ensuring that programmes reflect the varied elements which make up the culture of the people of Ireland and “have special regard for the elements which distinguish that culture and in particular the Irish language”. RTÉ and TG4 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 Act. The extent to which the commitments entered into by the two public service broadcasters have been met is reviewed annually by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).

Radio and television services, additional to those provided by the national public service broadcasters are matters for the BAI, which is an independent statutory body. Matters in relation to broadcast content on commercial radio are the subject of contractual negotiations between the BAI and commercial radio operators. In submitting their initial licensing applications to the BAI, such broadcasters 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 licence applications, these commitments form part of the terms and conditions of the relevant broadcaster's actual licence.

This policy approach deals with the differing requirements of commercial and public service broadcasting. While I fully support the promotion of Irish music in our broadcasting services, the policy approach taken to this issue must be consistent with EU and Irish regulatory structures. It is also important that it takes account of the right of broadcasters to determine the type of programming and content they wish to broadcast, subject, of course, to meeting relevant licensing and legislative obligations.

There were a number of meetings held previously in relation to Irish music on the radio which were chaired by the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht and included representatives of the Irish music industry. At my request, officials from my Department have met with officials from the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht in order to see if this process might be reinstated. It is envisaged that any meetings would include officials from my Department and the BAI, as well as relevant industry representatives. At the same time, I understand that the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht have provided funding to the Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (IASCA) to introduce a Digital Management Distribution System (DMDS). This system is already used in a number of other countries and will allow for the tracking of Irish music aired on Irish radio stations. It is intended that officials from my Department will make contact with the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht in regard to arranging the proposed meetings once the DMDS system is operational.