Media Merger regime

The media mergers regime exists to consider the effect of a proposed media merger on plurality of media in the State.
Following clearance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission of the European Commission, the parties to a proposed media merger must notify the Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment. Upon receipt of the notification the Department conduct a phase 1 assessment of the media merger.
The Minister may make one of three determinations, that a media merger may proceed, that a media merger may proceed subject to conditions posed by the parties to the merger, or that a phase 2 assessment of the media merger is required.
If a phase 2 assessment is required, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will conduct the phase 2 assessment and provide a report for the Minister. Following a phase 2 the Minister may make one of three determinations, that a media merger may proceed, a media merger may proceed subject to conditions or a media merger may not proceed.