Amendments to Competition Act recommended for media

An advisory group is recommending amendments to the Competition Act in relation to the merging of media organisations in Ireland.

It is contained within a report on media mergers, published by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan.

When two or more media organisations within the State choose to merge, they are subject to the provisions of the Competition Act.

It is designed to ensure fairness and avoid a monopoly being created within Irish media.

An advisory group was asked to examine parts of the Competition Act, and it is recommending that it should be amended to incorporate a statutory test to be applied by the Minister in relation to media mergers.

It is also suggesting 10 other changes which it says are in the public interest.

The Tánaiste has welcomed the publication of the report, and says that the law concerning media mergers is being reviewed, with legislation due to be brought forward this year.