Press release
Department to introduce Simplified Media Merger Notification Procedure
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has announced that a Simplified Media Merger Notification Procedure will officially commence on Wednesday 10 April 2024.
Ireland’s media merger regime provides important protection for the principle of media plurality. The introduction of a Simplified Procedure is intended to increase the efficiency of the media merger process while maintaining strong protection for plurality. It is expected to ease the regulatory burden on businesses and reduce the timelines for approval in cases where the target of the transaction is not operating in the State and, thus, is unlikely to have an impact on the plurality of media in the State.
The Simplified Procedure is being implemented by way of an amendment of the Guidelines on Media Mergers. Section 3.4 of the revised Guidelines provides an overview of the criteria which must be met for a media merger to be assessed under the Simplified Procedure, and the flexibilities that will be granted to eligible mergers or transactions. In amending the Guidelines, a number of other technical changes have been made – including to reflect changes to the department’s name and the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán to replace the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Welcoming the introduction of the new Simplified Procedure, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, said:
“The assessment of media mergers provides important protection for a free and pluralistic media that underpins our democracy. The Simplified Media Merger Notification Procedure is expected to ease regulatory burden on businesses through reduced notification requirements and will allow for determinations to be made within shorter timeframes. The Simplified Procedure is being introduced following a public consultation period, and we would like to thank all of those who made submissions for their contributions.”
The department will commence receiving notifications under the Simplified Media Merger Notification Procedure on Wednesday 10 April 2024.
Parties wishing to avail of the Simplified Procedure must discuss this possibility with the department in advance of submitting a notification. The media mergers team can be contacted at mediamergers@tcagsm.gov.ie