TD calls for Minister to "properly review" sale of Celt to INM
A local TD is appealing to the Minister for Communications to extensively review the sale of the Celtic Media Group to Independent News and Media over the next 30 days.
'Massively important'
Deputy Niamh Smyth's comments follows the decision in recent weeks by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to clear the sale on competition grounds.
“I am appealing to the Minister Denis Naughten to properly review this sale personally,' said the Fianna Fáil deputy. 'It’s massively important that he takes all views on board during this process. The Anglo-Celt is an institution in my own constituency of Cavan Monaghan. A lot is at stake here and this merger, if granted, will impact on so many.
“The Minister will not comment on the CCPC’s decision to approve the sale on competition grounds. He has cited that they are an independent body with a separate role with regards to media mergers and it would be inappropriate for him to comment.”
Deputy Smyth continued, “The Minister has to be officially informed of the CCPC’s decision by this week. The deadline for this notification is tomorrow November 24, 2016. From then the Minister’s Department has 30 days to conduct an initial assessment of the case on media plurality grounds. Minister Naughten says he cannot comment further until his Department’s initial assessment is completed. I’ve been told that two pre-notification meetings have already been facilitated by the Department with all parties on this sale. One took place in September with the other took place on November 11.”
Deputy Smyth concluded, “I understand this 30 day assessment by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is protocol, but I really do hope it is not just “lip service” and that this decision is actually reviewed thoroughly by the Minister himself. This is a massive decision for all the newspapers affected and these areas which pride themselves on their local paper. There is a real sense of ownership by people in Cavan and Monaghan to The Anglo-Celt. I’m eagerly awaiting the Minister’s decision in the New Year.”