Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI; Irish: Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann) is a former broadcasting authority which regulated both public and commercial broadcasting sector in Ireland.
It was established in 2009, effectively replacing the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) (Irish: Coimisiún Craolacháin na hÉireann). It was dissolved in 2023 and its staff and functions were transferred to a new body entitled Coimisiún na Meán.
The BCI was responsible for arranging the provision of television and radio services in addition to those provided by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). In addition, it was responsible for developing codes on advertising and other matters, which apply both its own stations and those of RTÉ. Its role has expanded following the statutory instrument signed by Minister Eamonn Ryan on 24 September 2009 to include Analogue terrestrial television switchoff in Ireland (aerial/transmitter system) and licensing the more channel spacious digital terrestrial television channel licensing that it will undertake once the commercial DTT contract is concluded with the current consortium.
Under the Broadcasting Act 2009 the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI)
The Authority came into being on 1 October 2009. Until then, the BCI continued to operate under the terms of the Radio and Television Act 1988.
The Authority comprises nine members. Five members were announced on 30 September 2009 and were appointed by the Government of Ireland on the nomination of the Minister and a further four were appointed following the nomination of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The five government appointees to the Authority were:
In addition to the Authority, the BAI comprised two separate and independent committees: a Contract Awards Committee and a Compliance Committee.
The Contract Awards Committee members included:
The Compliance Committee members were:
The Contracts Award Committee licensed independent commercial and community broadcasters including digital television providers.
The Compliance Committee required all broadcasters, public or private, to comply with their licence conditions, broadcasting codes and rules. New codes in relation to children's advertising, among others, were introduced under the Broadcasting Act.
The BAI was in charge of the Irish government's Broadcasting Fund which was taken from the TV Licence Fee. Since 2006 the BCI have given nearly €20million euro to Independent producers for TV, Radio and Film that meet the requirement of the scheme. They have provided funds to programmes and films such as Hunger (Film Four), Aifric and Kings (TG4), School Run (TV3) and Garage (RTÉ). The producer must have the support of a Free-to-air broadcaster, the UK's broadcasters are sufficient since they are available FTA via Satellite, Setanta have produced a discussion Sports Matter which is unencrypted when it airs on the channel.
Under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, the Authority was dissolved on 15 March 2023. A new commission, titled Coimisiún na Meán, was established on that date under amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009.