Thursday 30^th Sept 2004

Submission re Review of Radio Licensing

Congratulations to Minister Noel Dempsey on his appointment.  With regard to the radio licensing review I ask you to consider using your position to welcome the long delayed introduction of Christian Radio to Ireland.  To declare my interest I am consulting to numerous ecumenical Christian groups who have been seeking radio licences from the BCI.  I believe the case for welcoming Christian Radio to Ireland is compelling:

1.      Genuine ecumenical Christian Radio has a proven track record across Europe of building dialogue and unity amongst the Christian Churches, reinforcing Christian family values, attracting loyal audiences and giving a voice to the most marginalised in society.  For example in the commercial sector the most successful station in Portugal is a Christian station.  In the non profit sector RCF Christian Radio in France has over 2 million listeners.

2.      Although Ireland has the highest church attendance in Europe it is the only country without its own Christian Radio.  The introduction of such stations is a vital element in developing a diverse sector capable of meeting the needs of a wider community.

3.      Fears of undue influences by disruptive minority groups are easily checked by only licensing genuinely ecumenical groups.

Let me be clear we are not asking the Minister to interfere with the BCI processes of who gets licences but simply to make a broad policy statement welcoming the introduction of genuinely ecumenical Christian Radio to Ireland.

Sincerely

Dave Heffernan