Ireland

[IE] Minister designates new television channel as a public service

IRIS 2016-8:1/24

Ronan Ó Fathaigh

Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam

On 23 June 2016, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources signed an order designating recently established Irish TV as a television service “having the character of a public service” under section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The designation means that Irish TV will now be available on Saorview, the free-to-air digital terrestrial television service (see IRIS 2014-2/25).

Irish TV is a local and international channel, which offers live and recorded programming relevant to Irish people in Ireland and abroad. It began broadcasting in May 2014 under a licence issued by the UK communications regulator Ofcom; however, in September 2014, Irish TV entered into a broadcasting contract with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland under section 71 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

Irish TV also submitted a request to the Minister for a designation as a public service, under section 130(1)(a)(iv) of the Broadcasting Act in June 2014, and the Minister has now published his decision, approving the request. The Minister took into account a range of factors, including the range and variety of programming, the contribution to democratic and public engagement, and support for local production and investment in local talent (see IRIS 2015-4/14).