Proposed legislation to regulate the broadcast industry has been welcomed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI).
The Broadcasting Bill 2008 published by Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan provides for the establishment of a new broadcasting regulator for all broadcasters licensed in the State, to be called the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).
The BAI will perform the existing functions of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission, as well undertaking new regulatory functions.
Chairman of the BCI Conor Maguire said the move was a “significant development with regard to the regulation of broadcasting services in Ireland”.
“The concept of a single content regulator has been mooted since the publication of the findings of the Forum on Broadcasting in 2002, so it is to be particularly welcomed that the Bill published today holds true to that idea, following extensive consultation in the intervening years.”
Mr Maguire said the board of the BCI will consider the Bill at its next meeting and will issue a formal response at that time.
Labour Party communications spokeswoman Liz McManus welcomed provisions in the Bill that will allow the input of an Oireachtas committee into the appointment of members of the new Broadcasting Authority.
She said, however, she was disappointed the broadcasting fund had not been changed and that just 5 per cent of the TV licence fee would be allocated to it.
“I would have hoped for an increase in this fund in order to encourage and support the independent production sector.”
Ms McManus said a provision to control advertising of food products to children was “very wishy-washy” and did not go far enough to deliver the kind of change needed to protect children.
“We are facing a changeover to digital TV and the most immediate effect is going to be the loss of service from Britain to analogue TV users on east coast in 2009. I am disappointed that there is nothing in this bill that will assist these people and I will raise this matter in the Dail when I get an opportunity.”
Separately, Fine Gael’s Communications Spokesman Simon Coveney said the Minister for Communications had missed the opportunity for full reform of the broadcasting sector in Ireland.
“There are some positive initiatives contained in the Broadcasting Bill but the Government is missing a perfect opportunity to include further necessary changes," said Mr Coveney.