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On 29 January 2001, the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) refused to allow Ulster Television to take over County Media. Ulster Television (UTV) broadcasts in and from Northern Ireland and is part of the UK's Independent Television Network. County Media is the owner of three independent local radio stations in Cork, the second largest city in Ireland. Under section 6.2 of the Radio and Television Act 1988, the IRTC must have regard inter alia to the character, expertise and experience of the applicant. It must also have regard to the desirability of having a diversity of services...

The legislation in Ireland, which regulates the content and supply of videos, is the Video Recordings Act 1989. That Act designated the Film Censor's office as the regulatory body to deal with videos as well as films. The Film Censor has power to classify videos according to age and to refuse certificates for the supply of videos if their content is such that they may inter alia corrupt viewers or incite to crime. The Act, however, does not extend to video games. Initially, this omission did not pose a problem. More recently, developments in the content and range of video games have given rise...

The Irish government has recently implemented the provisions of Directive 98/84/EC on the legal protection of services based on, or consisting of, conditional access. The Directive is aimed at approximating provisions in the Member States concerning measures against illicit devices that give unauthorised access to protected services. The Directive has been implemented into Irish law by means of Ministerial Regulations. For the purposes of the Regulations, "protected services" means: - television broadcasting (but does not include communication services such as telecopying or electronic banks,...

In December 2000, the Audiovisual Federation of IBEC (the Irish Employers' organisation) published its annual report for 1999. It concluded that the Irish film industry is in the doldrums and losing competitiveness against the British industry. Key recommendations of the 1999 Report on the Strategic Development of the Irish Film and Television Industry 2000-2010 (see IRIS 1999-8: 12), it said, had not yet been implemented. There was a significant increase in Irish expenditure on feature films and major television dramas but a fall in expenditure on independent television productions. A decrease...

In July 2000, Ireland enacted legislation dealing with electronic commerce (See IRIS 2000-8: 11). The Electronic Commerce Act 2000 is now in force and will form the basis for further participation by Ireland in the new regulatory framework for electronic communications and services proposed by the European Commission. The Irish telecommunications market was deregulated on 1 December 1998 (see IRIS 1999-3: 14), and the Minister for Public Enterprise has welcomed the European Commission’s proposal to “unbundle the local loop”, as it will provide an opportunity to increase competition and benefit...