30 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the additional resources which have been provided to the Broadcasting Commission to allow it to discharge the additional functions it acquired as a result of the Broadcasting Act, 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27145/01]

I am satisfied the provision in my Department's Estimate in respect of the Irish Independent Radio and Television Commission, now the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, is more than sufficient to defray the expenses of the commission in performing its functions in the current financial year. Discussion between my Department and the Department of Finance in relation to the staffing and organisational structures of the commission are ongoing and I cannot anticipate at this stage what budgetary provision will be made for the Commission in the Estimates for 2002.