Three competing consortia yesterday outlined their arguments for a FM radio licence covering Carlow and Kilkenny to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) at public hearings in Kilkenny.

Earlier this year, the Commission's decision to modify the franchise areas for these two counties and Kildare was the subject of High Court proceedings taken by CKR Ltd, which operates the existing CKR FM in Carlow and Kildare.

The application for a judicial review was ultimately withdrawn, clearing the way for the BCI to continue the licensing process.

The first group to present its proposals was the Kilkenny Community Communications Co-Operative Society - the group behind Radio Kilkenny. It would call the new station KCR FM.

The group, led by Mr William Quaney, focused on its potential to build on its existing audience and promised that KCR FM would be "a strong and vibrant local radio station" with programming content offering "a well-balanced mix of music, current affairs and special interest programmes". It was also claimed that the tone of the station would be entertaining, topical and lively.

The second group is Carlow Kilkenny Radio, which is 50 per cent-owned by Mr James Reddy. Mr Reddy highlighted the importance of building a high-tech radio station for the future and introduced engineering consultant, Mr Ronan O'Connor, who outlined how journalists would be equipped with facilities in their cars to edit "on the road" and to transmit reports back to the studios.

Details of the third application were outlined in an audio-visual display by CK Broadcasting, which was incorporated in April and proposes to operate as "KCLR - the heart of the two counties".

The largest single shareholder of CK Broadcasting is 20 per cent-owner Mr John Purcell, a public relations consultant who also chairs the consortium and is a former chief executive of Radio Kilkenny.

Companies with shares in the applicant group include People Newspapers and Setanta Media Holdings with 12.6 per cent each as well as Irish Radio & Media Holdings with 17.6 per cent.

In its presentation stressing that the new station would be independent of existing Dublin operations Newstalk and 98FM, with which some of its shareholders have links, the company claimed that "KCLR would bring a fresh approach" to bear on local radio with "a broad-based service providing a comprehensive mix of news, current affairs, special interest and access programmes".

Promising a contemporary style, Mr Purcell said that while the station would be local it would not be parochial.

The Broadcasting Commission is expected to make a final decision on the Carlow/Kilkenny licence next month.