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A report of an Advisory Group on media mergers was published on 2 January 2009. The Group was established in March 2008 by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to review the current legislative framework regarding the public interest aspects of media mergers. The Group was asked to examine the relevant provisions of the Competition Act 2002 and, in particular, the “relevant criteria” specified in the Act, by reference to which the Minister currently considers media mergers. The terms of reference of the Group were: to review and to consider the current levels of plurality and diversity...

As a result of Ireland’s geographic position and low population density, there is an abundance of unused spectrum in Ireland. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has been innovative in the allocation of unused radio spectrum. In 2005, it enhanced its Test and Trial wireless scheme to facilitate the development of new systems in a live environment. In March 2008, ComReg published a proposed strategy for managing radio spectrum (Document 8/20) for consultation. Following the consultation, which was generally positive, ComReg issued its Spectrum Management Strategy Statement 2008-2010...

North Rhine-Westphalia’s regional film fund Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen and the Irish Film Board ( Bord Scannán na hÉireann ) signed an agreement for the co-production of cinema films on 9 June 2008. The aim of the agreement is to intensify cultural and economic co-operation between firms located in the two regions with regard to internationally co-produced feature-length cinema and documentary films. This is to be achieved within the official framework of bilateral international agreements or the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production, as well as by means of financial support...

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has introduced new regulations on taste and decency. These are contained in the Code of Programme Standards. The code came into effect on 10April 2007. The objectives of the code are to promote responsible broadcasting and reduce harm or offence to the audience. The code provides guidelines to the broadcaster and protects the viewer/listener by informing them of choices and standards to expect. While restrictions already existed in the area, this is the first attempt to create regulatory guidelines, which apply to all Irish broadcasters, both public...

The issue of political advertising on radio and television arose again in 2007. The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) instructed commercial stations to cease broadcasting an advertisement for Trócaire, the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, on the grounds that it contravened Section 10(3) of The Radio and Television Act 1988, which prohibits advertising “directed towards a religious or political end” (seeIRIS 2004-8: 11, IRIS 2003-2: 11, IRIS 2001-7: 9 and IRIS 2004-3: 10). The core issue was a reference in the advertisement to an online petition that...