Ahern publishes radio licensing report

Communications Minister Dermot Ahern today published a report on radio licensing in Ireland and announced a public consultation on the findings of the report.

Commenting on the review the Minister said: “Independent radio in Ireland has flourished in recent years. I wish to see the continuation of that success. This review involves a far-reaching assessment of our radio licensing process and has identified a number of areas that we will need to address. I am interested in hearing the views of all concerned.”

The Department engaged Ox Auction Experts, a Netherlands based consultancy, to undertake a written study of the objectives, process, structural issues and policy interface around the licensing of radio services in Ireland, along with an analysis of international best practice.

The report and consultation document are available at www.dcmnr.gov.ie/broadcasting.

In their report, Ox Consultants structure their analysis around four broad areas: the Irish radio broadcasting market, media policy, radio broadcasting economics and licensing procedures.

Ox Consultants identified five key actions for the development of radio licensing policy:

*maximising use of spectrum for radio broadcasting,

*improving licensing procedures,

*focussing on effective output enforcement,

*clarifying objectives of ownership rules, and

*establishing clear digital radio policies

Minister Ahern identified the need to consider options for diversity in radio stations.

"Not all available spectrum is being used. We owe it to the listener to ensure that the broadest range of programming is available. This could include specific licences for formats not covered or under-served by the existing mix of stations, such as specialist music stations."

The Minister said he would consider seriously the licence award process.

"In certain circumstances, radio licences give rights of use to highly-valuable economic resources. Auctioning of such licences may be one suitable and fair way forward in licensing such national resources," he said.

He added he would also consider carefully the report’s recommendations with regard to establishing an independent appeal body on licensing decisions.