CRAOL

Lobbying Organisation CRAOL

Date published 20 Jan, 2020

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Communications

Period 1 Sep, 2019 to 31 Dec, 2019

Specific Details In relation to the forthcoming Broadcasting Bill • Especially the Broadcasting levy on Community Media and highlighting to the Minister how the sector is highly concerned that the Bill refers to the Broadcasting Levy being open to an exemption for "some" Community Radio stations, but not others.. We also wished to get clarity on the Journalism bursary recently announced by the Minister and the proposed broadcasting charge

Intended results Change to the wording in the forthcoming broadcasting bill -that the exemption to the broadcasting levy should apply to all Community Radio stations as they are volunteer led not for profit community projects. Ensure that the journalism bursary includes placements at Community Radio Stations and discuss Community Radio being funded from the proposed broadcasting charge

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Declan Gibbons- Chair CRAOL- Community Radio Ireland

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Asked member stations to email/contact local TD's in relation to this matter

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (21-30)

A letter written by the Chair of CRAOL highlighting the impact of the BAI Levy on Community Radio Stations was emailed to a number of TD's by some member stations/CRAOL members.

Meeting (2-5)

Members of CRAOL met with member of the Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment Brid Smith TD in Dáil Éireann and TD David Culliane's assistant. Also had meeting with officials from the Department of Communications to discuss the impact of the BAI Levy, the Journalism Bursary and the proposed changes to TV licence/Broadcasting charge

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Joan Burton TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jack Chambers TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ruth Coppinger TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Lawless TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Timmy Dooley TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

David Cullinane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Lowry TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Hildegarde Naughton TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eamon Ryan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Bríd Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Curran TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eoin Ó Broin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gino Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Finian McGrath Minister of State (Department of Health)

Seán Haughey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Tommy Broughan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Louise O'Reilly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

John Paul Phelan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kevin Boxer Moran Minister of State (The Office of Public Works)

Eugene Murphy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Robert Troy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Lisa Chambers TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Dara Calleary TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)