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Current Dáil
No. 19 of 2026

Media Regulation Bill 2026

Public bill · Government · Presented

Changes media merger rules and advertising transparency to bring Ireland into line with the EU Media Freedom Act. It moves decisions on media mergers from the Minister to Coimisiún na Meán, broadens the range of deals it can look at, and gives it powers to demand information, set guidance, keep a media ownership database, and make some mergers unwind if needed; it also creates a right of appeal to the High Court. The bill also requires public bodies to publish yearly details of what they spend on state advertising, and asks Coimisiún na Meán to monitor that spending and encourage clearer rules on how audience figures are measured.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to give full effect to Articles 6(2) and 22 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (European Media Freedom Act) and, for that purpose, to amend Part 3A of the Competition Act 2002; to give full effect to Article 24 of that Regulation and, for that purpose, to amend section 34 of the Broadcasting Act 2009; to give full effect to Article 25 of that Regulation and, for that purpose, to provide for detailed rules in relation to state advertising; to transfer certain functions conferred on the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport under Part 3A of the Competition Act 2002 to Coimisiún na Meán; to enable Coimisiún na Meán to require notification of certain mergers or acquisitions involving a media business; to enable certain undertakings to inform Coimisiún na Meán of certain mergers or acquisitions involving a media business; to provide for consequential amendments of the Competition Act 2002; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 12 June 2026

Sponsor
  • Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Primary
Progress
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  • Second Stage
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  • Committee Stage
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