Written answers

Friday, 16 September 2016

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Competition Authority Investigations

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1698. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the proposed purchase of a company (details supplied) has been referred to the Competition Authority for review; if not, his plans to refer the proposal; the reason for any such decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25967/16]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment I have no role in overseeing or directing any function of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The CCPC is an independent body under the aegis of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.  

While I am aware that the proposed purchase of Celtic Media by Independent News & Media is currently being considered by the CCPC, I have no role in relation to the proposed transaction until the CCPC has made its determination in this case. Should the proposed purchase receive clearance from the CCPC, it must then be notified to me as Minister. 

Upon receipt of notification from the parties, a phase 1 examination of the merger is carried out by my Department. This examination is guided by the relevant criteria laid out in the legislation and by the Guidelines on Media Mergers, both of which are available on my Department's website. Following this examination, I have three options under the legislation, which are to allow the merger to proceed, to allow the merger to proceed with conditions or to ask the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to conduct a more in-depth, or phase 2, examination of the proposed merger.

If the latter is the case, then the BAI will provide me with a report detailing its recommendations on the matter. It is also possible for me, as Minister, to establish an advisory panel to provide an opinion to the BAI on the application of the relevant criteria to the media merger in question. Following receipt of the BAI's report and recommendations, I must then make a decision either to allow the merger to proceed, to allow it to proceed with conditions or to refuse to grant my consent.

As this case is currently being assessed by the CCPC, it would not be appropriate for me to provide further comment at this time until that process is completed.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.