Madam, - Emmet Oliver (Business Opinion, June 30th) suggests that the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, undertaken to review local radio licensing, was "highly critical" of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. In fact, the committee's report said that 64 per cent of those who responded to the committee were satisfied with the licensing process and their relationship with the BCI.
Furthermore the committee's report went on to state that "the manner in which the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland carries out this [regulatory] role commands the confidence of the majority of stations".
Mr Oliver incorrectly states that the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern, has "initiated a review of the organisation to see if it can be more responsive to those applying for licences". In fact, in his press statement of May 29th the Minister expressed his intention to review the licensing process, not the BCI. The Minister said that "the existing policy framework, where licensing decisions are made by an independent regulator has worked well. The professionalism and performance of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland to date has vindicated this system". The Commission has welcomed the opportunity to have an input into such a review process.
Mr Oliver bemoans the lack of opportunity for new players who may be interested in providing special interest services in the Dublin area, despite being aware that the BCI was engaged in frequency planning exercises with ComReg and the Radio Communications Agency (UK) with a view to identifying the availability of additional frequencies in the Dublin area, and that an announcement in this area was imminent.
The Commission is pleased to announce that currently, four further frequencies have been identified for use in the Dublin area. Expressions of interest for providing additional commercial and special interest radio services will be advertised this Friday, July 4th. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL O'KEEFFE, Chief Executive, Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, Warrington Place, Dublin 2.