Labour's Manifesto - The Labour Party

Labour’s Manifesto www.labour.ie
in light of existing and projected
convergence of broadcasting
technologies.
Regulating for the future
of broadcasting
Telecommunications regulatory
and licensing matters are currently
handled by ComReg, whereas
broadcasting regulation and
licenses will be the responsibility
of the Broadcasting Authority of
Ireland. Given the convergence of
technology in this sector – i.e. video
on demand, mobile broadband –
we will merge the Broadcasting
Authority of Ireland and ComReg to
form one regulatory body.
This new pan-regulatory body
will also have responsibility for
protecting consumers from ‘rip off’
charges and for Quality Assurance.
Ensuring the survival of
print media in Ireland
Given the intense pressures
that newspaper and broadcast
media currently face, a detailed
and informed policy discussion
is required to ensure the future
survival of a strong indigenous
media presence in Ireland.
The Department of Communications,
Energy and Natural Resources will
engage in a structured dialogue on the
future challenges faced by the print
and broadcast media in Ireland, with
broad input from industry, politics, and
consumer and civic groups.
Sustaining a universal
postal service
In light of the proposed liberalisation
of the postal services, Labour
believes that a universal postal
service is essential, in particular
for rural communities and those
disadvantaged communities affected
by the digital divide. A commercially
viable, profitable and efficient An
Post is key to the long-term viability
Labour’s manifesto 2011
www.labour.ie/manifesto
of the postal market. Labour will
ensure that the Postal Services Bill
provides for a clear commitment to
the universal service obligation.
Labour will implement the
recommendations of the all-party
agreed Oireachtas Committee
Postcodes Report.
Making transport more
sustainable
Labour’s vision for Ireland’s travel
and transport system is for one
that is modern, reliable, integrated,
accessible and safe.
All planned transport infrastructure
projects, including Public-Private
Partnerships, will be subject to a
cost benefit analysis. Based on this
analysis, investment in transport
infrastructure that provides the best
value for money, and that reduces
carbon emissions from transport,
will be prioritised.
In light of the damage caused to
roads by recent extreme weather,
Labour will allocate, on a once-off
basis, a portion of the existing roads
budget to prioritise repair of those
secondary roads most affected.
Cycling and walking will be at the
heart of any future sustainable
transport network. Labour will
provide for contiguous cycling
routes for commuters, and safe
school cycle routes. The safety
needs of cyclists will be taken into
account in enhanced road junction
design, improved signage and
road maintenance. Labour will also
introduce legislation to strengthen
the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and
public transport commuters in the
planning process and the transport
system.
In order to provide for a public
transport infrastructure that
grows with our population, we
will introduce legislation to ensure
that all large new residential and
commercial developments will have
integrated transport services as part
of their planning permission.
The Dublin Transport Authority Act
and the Public Transport Regulation
Act will also be amended to require
Development Plans, Local Area
Plans and rezoning applications to
make provision for public transport
services if the population of the
areas affected reaches or is planned
to reach a specified threshold.
More efficient public
transport
Bus services will continue to be the
most cost effective and most flexible
way of delivering public transport
both in cities and in rural areas.
Investment in public transport will
focus on the further development
of Quality Bus Networks, and Park
and Ride facilities. Labour will also
explore the development of the Bus
Labour’s vision for Ireland’s
travel and transport system
is for one that is modern,
reliable, integrated, accessible
and safe
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