IRTC may face licence challenge

Three unsuccessful consortiums which bid for a Dublin youth-orientated radio licence are in correspondence with the Independent…

Three unsuccessful consortiums which bid for a Dublin youth-orientated radio licence are in correspondence with the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) and are considering seeking a judicial review.

On October 11th last, the IRTC announced that Spin FM, a consortium associated with accountant Mr Ossie Kilkenny, had won the licence. The unsuccessful applicants were: Pulse FM, associated with U2 manager Mr Paul McGuinness; Storm FM, associated with nightclub owner Mr John Reynolds and U2's The Edge; and Red FM, associated with Mr Dermot Hanrahan, of FM 104.

The unsuccessful applicants wrote to the commission seeking the rationale for its decision and the criteria used. Solicitors acting for the IRTC wrote back saying the requested information would not be given. Solicitors for the three consortiums then repeated the original request.

Last Wednesday, the IRTC solicitor wrote to say the commission had not as yet had the opportunity to consider the request. The unsuccessful consortiums are awaiting the commission's decision before making any decision on their next move.