News Talk 106 FM, a consortium of all 21 independent network news stations around the country, is the only applicant shortlisted for the speech-driven local radio licence being awarded by the Independent Radio and Television Commission.

The IRTC received another application for the talk radio licence from Dublin Live FM. But it invited only News Talk 106 to make a presentation to the board at public hearings scheduled for September 27th and 28th.

The News Talk 106 bid is headed by ex-Radio Kilkenny man Mr John Purcell and 98 FM general manager Mr Ken Hutton. They have said the station will be very much a local Dublin service with a mixture of rolling news every 20 minutes, plus extensive coverage of sport, as well as traffic news and arts. However, an IRTC spokesman said the company was not "a shoo-in" for the licence despite being the only contender in the category. "Those on the shortlist have to go and make a presentation and the commission reserves the right not to award a licence," he said.

The shortlists for the speech-driven, special interest and Irish-language licences were announced yesterday, a day after those for the youth and music services. A final decision on all the licences is expected to be made at an IRTC board meeting on October 11th.

In the special interest category, Spirit FM, owned by Alcatraz Communications, and RFI-Dublin, which is owned by Radio France Internationale, made the shortlist. Among those who failed to make the final cut in this category were Dublin Christian Radio, Dublin City Radio and Travel FM, the last of which was put forward by the Office of the Director of Traffic with Dublin Corporation.

Raidio na Life, the existing operator, was the only applicant in the Irish-language area. The company's licence runs out at the end of September, before the board meeting on October 11th, so a decision has been taken to extend it for another two months.

Alone among the shortlisted candidates, Raidio na Life will not have to make a presentation, but its application will be considered, along with the others, at the October meeting.

The IRTC will also consider the candidates for the youth-oriented service and for the music-driven service aimed at an audience aged over 35.

Those shortlisted for the youth licence include Pulse FM, Red 106 FM, Spin FM and Storm FM.