More than 100 expressions of interest have been received by the Independent Radio and Television Commission for the provision of more radio stations. Most of the submissions, which are confidential, are aimed at getting one of up to five licences to be granted in Dublin city and county. The station frequencies have been agreed with the director of telecommunications, Ms Etain Doyle. They involve one FM station covering the city and county, for which there were 30 applications, three FM services covering the city only, which received 35 applications, and one AM service for the city and county, which attracted nine applications.
Frequencies have to be allocated for the licences being awarded outside Co Dublin. There were 30 submissions made for an unspecified number of licences.
The IRTC chief executive, Mr Michael O'Keeffe, said the objective was to evaluate the interest in additional services and assist with frequency planning. "It will not be possible to undertake any significant licensing outside of Dublin until this planning exercise is complete," he said.
The IRTC advertisement placed in February sought submissions reflecting a mix of programming which would "provide new cultural and informational opportunities as well as reflecting the interests and needs of a broad cross-section of the people of Dublin".
The FM Dublin city and county licence is expected to be allocated to a group which will provide an alternative service to 98 FM and FM 104. The Dublin-only licences and the AM licence are aimed at special interest services.
An IRTC spokesman said a detailed report on the submissions would be given to the board in mid-April. The board is expected to move within a month from that date to start the licensing process in Dublin. Public hearings are expected to follow with the on the granting of licences in the autumn.
"In all likelihood, it is going to be late 1999 or early 2000 before these licences get on air," he said.
The 21 local commercial radio stations have also been informed that their licences will be advertised when their contracts expire from 2003.