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Updated 12.53
MICHEÁL MARTIN HAS said he is “very concerned” about the amount of Irish media owned by businessman Denis O’Brien.
His comments come ahead of a cabinet discussion on media merger guidelines and, separately, a Dáil debate on the inquiry into certain IBRC transactions.
Last week Independent News & Media (INM) – which O’Brien is the biggest shareholder in – said it plans to spend up to €100 million on acquisitions in Ireland and the UK, and could consider buying TV3.
O’Brien also owns a number of radio stations including Today FM and Newstalk.
Speaking on Today with Seán O’Rourke, Martin said if O’Brien was to buy TV3 it would amount to “excessive control” of Irish media.
But a spokesperson for INM this afternoon described a move for TV3 as “highly unlikely”.
“While INM is interested in targeting future acquisitions in digital media or online business in Ireland, Britain or Europe, we are not talking to anyone in this space at this time,” according to a statement.
“Concerning speculation about TV3, there are no discussions in place with TV3 and any discussion with TV3 would be highly unlikely.”
Speaking about the row over parliamentary privilege – which erupted when independent TD Catherine Murphy claimed in the Dáil that O’Brien received preferential interest rates from IBRC – the Fianna Fáil leader said it was “quite shocking for our democracy”.
“What is said in the Dáil has absolute constitutional privilege,” he added, stating there is “too much fear” among media outlets about what they can publish.
In relation to the commission of inquiry, Martin said that at a meeting yesterday Finance Minister Michael Noonan gave the opposition the impression that an interim report has been ruled out.
Martin said it “became unclear” who was representing whom at “key” IBRC meetings, adding that there were potential conflicts of interest in this regard.
He said the commission of investigation needs to be “properly-resourced” to answer several outstanding questions.
The inquiry is due to report in December, but it’s not clear if this will be an interim or final report.
- With reporting by Rónán Duffy
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Last week was all about DOB’S questionable practices and cosy political relationships in building up his present empire, this week it’s about what he is eyeing up next to increase his portfolio. *shakes head in disbelief
I’d say Vincent Browne will have some serious soul searching to do if INM buys a major stake in TV3.
“Highly unlikely” = it’s 2/3rd’s of the way in the bag..
An attempt to silence Vincent Browne?
UTV Ireland is also a likely takeover for any wannabe Denis O’Broadcaster…
Just switched off today fm for the last time ever
Yup, me too. Newstalk also. I’ll miss “Moncrieff”, and “Talking History”. Am finding that Lyric and Radio1, in the evenings, have plenty of quality tunes and content. Don’t forget to boycott Topaz and the Indo also!
Surely there should are laws against monopolisation of any industry!?
And if there aren’t there damn well should be!
There are plenty of Competition Laws together with Article 45 [2] (ii) and (iii) of Directive Principles of our Constitution that could and should deal with Competition issues but successive Governments and Enterprise Ministers have ensured that there was and is no enforcement, eg Richard Bruton and Michael Martin and of course Mary Harney.
I would rather be a Jo Siap citizen with humble finances than DOB who obviously has a few bob but seems to be increasingly disliked by the Irish public. Sorry but it seems that he just can not get his fingers in enough pies. Biblical levels of greed if you ask me.
I’d rather be rich.
DOB has all his fingers in his pies. His only available appendage, if inserted in TV3, will be the final f**k up for Irish media!
Ye I’d also take the money.
You wouldn’t want DOB putting a finger in your pie while your back was turned, would you J?
He should buy The Journal ;)
Think that’s already been done ..
The journal.mt
O’Briens grip on the media is extremely damaging and symbolises just how far our politicians have gone in selling our souls to global corporate interests.
If O’Brien were found to be corrupt, then a corrupt person should not be entitled to control media – he should have to divest his media interests. I have my own views on the Moriarty Tribunal findings. However, which or whether, Taoiseach Kenny should have long since initiated a Garda Investigation into Moriarty’s findings.
If O’Brien got his claws on TV3 you’d have to say goodbye to vincent brown.
In the same way Sam Smith was fired because he wouldn’t be told to shut his mouth at the irish independent and TodayFM
Would be great to see the back of Vincent Browne.
Vincent may not be everyones cup of tea but the likes of him is needed. Sam Smyth is a brilliant journalist and commentator.
Is this jack o Connor
@Seamus
The DPPs office (which indicate they are “independent, fair and effective”) has to decide on initiating a criminal investigation. The current DPP, Claire Loftus was appointed by FG in October 2011 and is a well known FG supporter.
we did not get an update on enda opening the bottle bank yesterday on the journal its in the independent under this heading
Enda wants to reassure Mayo that potholed roads are paved with gold
i can’t seem to post links for some reason but if you want to read how enda prioritises his work load have a read or just have a laugh like i did.
Vincent Browne’s People’s debate are great and a refreshingly innovative way for people to engage in politics. Dennis O Brien taking over TV3 and stifling this innovation would be a bad day for disclosure and democracy.
He’ll probably run for president next time out.
if he gets his hands on TV3 poor Vincent Brown will be first to go, and any transparency thats in place will be gone.
He won’t be happy until he owns everything. We’ll soon be breathing O’Brien Air.
We are customers, not human beings, definitely not countrymen/women.
None of us are customers of TV3, it’s a free channel. They don’t even get to threaten us with jail for not funding them, unlike RTE or a certain utility company.
I think I just inadvertently said something that could be seen as supporting the water protesters. Somebody call a doctor.
The silence of Independent newspapers on Siteserv for the first few weeks of the controversy was deafening. It would be disturbing if TV3 had to do the same
for attacking our constitution, all government contracts must be withdrawn from this man.the situation is ridiculous.
The High King of Ireland should be allowed to do whatever he wants.
How dare a mere politician question the High King ????
He didnt just acquire this media monopoly over night.
He has used his power and wealth to bend politicians over backwards for years to get what he wants and of course the corrupt so called leaders of this country bowing to his every demands for the slip of another brown envelope.
Those that have accepted back handers should be name, shamed and dealt with accordingly.
Again corruption through and through with politicians in this country when is it ever going to change?
How much money does this man want or need retire DOB go of enjoy your life
I can’t help but picture a young Mr. Burns when I see Micheal Martin.
Bring back the Irish Press?
I’m pretty sure Denis O’Brien is up there with Kenny, Burton & Co as the most despised people in Ireland, I’m equally sure he doesn’t give a fiddler’s fcuk. Boycott all O’Brien companies.
I think O’Brien is the only one that has come into the spotlight. In my humble opinion, there are hundreds of business people, bankers, civil servants, politicians, celebs etc etc etc all up to their necks in the same circle of the who you know’s. I hope the whole rotten lot of them are exposed. Ireland needs a fresh start.
**ring ring, ring ring**
Denis: That you Kenny?
Enda: Oh, errrm, hello Denis…hows…
Denis: Sort that TV3 deal for me right
Enda: Well, errrrm, I’ve got errrm…
Denis: Just shut your mouth Kenny, do as I say and sort it right
Enda: Well, you know, I’m kinda, my hands are…
Denis: Just do what you’re told Kenny…remember, I own you…I f*@cking own you…
Enda: Thanks Denis
** hang up**
Sent an e-mail to all our MEPs regarding how they would vote in the TTIP ballot tomorrow, all replied they would vote against with the exception of Brian Crowley who is ill, Sean Kelly, Deirdre Clune and Brian Hayes all failed to reply. What is it those three have in common? Oh yes, they all belong to FG, this is what your government party thinks of its electorate and any talk of how they don’t cosy up to O’Brien and big business is just BS.
I agree…Topaz should be absolutely avoided…just go to another station. Wait until you see who owns Irish Water in 6 years when it goes fully private…just wait….hardly going to be a surprise. You’ll go to Esso then!
should be banned from this country for attacking our constitution.
Denis O`Brien is providing lots of jobs in Ireland, and around the world, he is a philanthropist as well supports good causes like aiding the Haiti earthquake , he just does not want people saying things about him that are untrue, why don`t people like him?
Because we are not inferior beings put on this earth to be used by this man to accumulate wealth. We have value.
Because he’s a greedy power hungry corrupt knob for starters
Er! Denishenko pushed the envelope a little too far during late 90s, that’s why!
Patrick, You do not get that big without stepping on people, throwing your weight around and squeezing your way through things. Trying to silence democratically elected public servants who are CLEARLY trying to address grave dicrepancies in public financial affairs is the rock any person should perish on and I think it is already starting for DOB. He has made a very big reputational rod for his back now matter what he now does. Being involved in waaay too many things is simply ego/greed gone mad. I was neutral on this issue for some time but not anymore. We also need 20 more clones of Shane Ross…another honest determined human not putty up with cronyism.
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