State Agency of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources overview | |
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Formed | 1 October 2009 |
Preceding agencies |
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Jurisdiction | Ireland |
Headquarters | 2 – 5 Warrington Place, Dublin 2 |
State Agency of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources executive |
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Key document |
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Website | BAI website |
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) (Irish: Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann) was established on 1 October 2009 effectively replacing the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) (Irish: Coimisiún Craolacháin na hÉireann).
The BAI is the regulator of both public and commercial broadcasting sector in Ireland.
The BCI was responsible for arranging the provision of television and radio services in addition to those provided by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). In addition, it was responsible for developing codes on advertising and other matters, which apply both its own stations and those of RTÉ. Its role has expanded following the statutory instrument signed by Minister Eamonn Ryan on 24 September 2009 to include Analogue terrestrial television switchoff in Ireland (aerial/transmitter system) and licensing the more channel spacious digital terrestrial television channel licensing that it will undertake once the commercial DTT contract is concluded with the current consortium.
Under the Broadcasting Act 2009 the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI)
The Authority officially come into being when a Statutory Instrument appointed 1 October 2009 as the day for it to assume its powers is made by the Minister for Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources. Until then, the BCI continued to operate under the terms of the Radio and Television Act 1988, notwithstanding the 2009 Act's repeal of that Act.
The Authority will comprise nine members. Five members were announced on 30 September 2009 and were appointed by the Government of Ireland on the nomination of the Minister and a further four were appointed following the nomination of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The five government appointees to the Authority are:
In addition to the Authority, the BAI now comprises two separate and independent committees – a Contract Awards Committee and a Compliance Committee. Nominees to these boards were announced on 30 November 2009, by Minister Eamon Ryan.
The Contract Awards Committee members include:
The Compliance Committee members are:
The Contracts Award Committee will license independent commercial and community broadcasters including digital television providers.