Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
121. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he has conducted any analysis of the consolidation of media in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43819/26]
View answerMedia plurality is reflected in both diversity of content and diversity of ownership. Part 3A of the Competition Act 2002 (as amended) provides important protections for media plurality in the State and sets out a framework for the assessment of media mergers.
As currently provided for, it is for the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, on a case-by-case basis, to make a determination as to whether a merger may be put into effect based on the likely effect of that merger on media plurality in the State.
Last year, six media mergers were notified to the Department and, in each case, I issued a determination that the merger should be allowed to proceed. In the interests of transparency, these determinations, and associated assessments, are published on my Department’s website.
Part 3A of the Act requires Coimisiún na Meán to prepare a report every three years analysing ownership and control arrangements of media businesses operating in the State, including any changes and their possible effect on media plurality in the State. These reports are published on my Department's website once they have been laid before the Oireachtas. The next report is currently being finalised and will be laid before the Oireachtas and published in the near future.
The reports draw on the Media Ownership database which catalogues the ownership and control of media businesses in the State. It is maintained by Dublin City University, funded by An Coimisiún, and available for access at www.mediaownership.ie.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Media Regulation Bill, which is currently before the Oireachtas, will amend the existing media mergers framework to implement the main provisions of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) in Irish law. Most notably, primary responsibility for media mergers will transfer from my Department to Coimisiún na Mean. It will also expand the scope of Coimisiún na Meán’s ownership and control reports which will help to place information on changes in ownership and control of media businesses in its proper context and to better understand its impact on media plurality in the State.
