The Minister for Arts, Ms de Valera, opposed an amendment to the Broadcasting Bill which would restrict excessive ownership of media outlets by one group.
If one group controlled 20 per cent of one section of the media, for example, print or broadcasting, that would restrict it to owning no more than 20 per cent in another type of media, according to the amendment, proposed at the Select Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language.
However, the Minister said the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, was dealing with the issue of media mergers in new legislation on competition.
Addressing the issue of media mergers did not take into account cross-ownership of media outlets, Mr Michael D. Higgins TD (Labour) said. "There must be some protection, not only against ownership but also cross-over into other means," he said.
Mr Brian O'Shea TD (Labour), who proposed the amendment, said it would be a dangerous situation if one group was to control more than 20 per cent of different media forms.
An amendment calling for the company which would operate digital television to be a commercial semi-State body was also voted down at the committee. RTE would own a 28 per cent stake in the new transmission company, and the rest would be privately owned, according to the Broadcasting Bill.
Mr O'Shea asked the Minister why a 28 per cent stake for RTE was decided upon and why RTE would be precluded from being involved in the retail side of digital television.
"RTE should be responsible for programme-making . . . It is not in the retail business. It is a very separate entity," Ms de Valera said..