WORLD PRESS TRENDS - World Association of Newspapers

IRELAND
Main economic indicators 1995-2001
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
1 US$= 1.12 Euros at 2001 rate
Gross Domestic Product (Euro billion)
at current prices 53 58 67 79 89 103 115
% change 13.1 10.2 15.6 18.6 12.0 16.2 11.6
at 2001 prices 62 67 77 89 98 108 115
% change 10.3 8.4 14.0 15.8 10.2 10.1 7.2
Gross Domestic Product per capita (Euro 000)
at current prices 14.6 16.0 18.3 21.5 23.7 27.3 30.1
at 20001prices 17.2 18.5 20.9 24.0 26.1 28.4 30.1
Population
Millions 3.6 3.6 3.7 3.7 3.8 3.8 3.8
Consumer Price Index
2001=100 84.7 86.2 87.4 89.5 91.0 96.1 100.0
% change 2.5 1.7 1.5 2.4 1.7 5.6 4.1
Ad.spend as a % of GDP
0.65 0.66 0.67 0.63 0.64 0.75 0.76
Advertising Expenditure Growth (%)
at current prices 10.2 10.7 18.7 10.8 13.7 36.6 12.3
at 2001 prices 7.4 8.9 17.0 8.2 11.8 29.4 7.9
Source: IFS, ZenithOptimedia
Research
Circulation is audited by: The Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC)
Readership is measured by: Lansdowne Market Research, The Joint
National Readership Research (JNRR)
Methodology: The survey is conducted among a representative
sample of the adult population by personal in-home interview,
using a combination of face-to-face and self-completion
questionnaires. Random probability, continuous 363 days a year
(except Good Friday and Christmas Day)
Taxes
VAT on: sales 12.5% advertising 21%
newsprint 21% plant 21%
composition 21% (standard VAT rate 21%)
Newspaper publishers are taxed 10% on profits.
Discounts
on: post 0 rail 0 telephone 0 telegraph 0 telex 0
As of 11 Jan 2000, postal rates for newspapers were increased
dramatically. Where previously a set newspaper postage rate
was in place, irrespective of weight and at a reduced level, the
new rate is by weight bands with increases in some cases of
nearly 200% for overseas postage
Ownership
Does any law exist governing publishing-house ownership, or the
registration of shares in newspaper-publishing companies No
Is there any law prohibiting or restricting foreign companies or
individuals from owning shares, and in particular, the majority of
shares, of domestic daily newspapers No
Is there any law prohibiting daily newspaper or periodical publishers
from operating radio or television stations in the same locality No
So as to guarantee disclosure and transparency in the capital structure
and to avert silent partnerships, is there a law or rule making it possible
to determine who actually owns a publishing company The
Companies Act requires all companies to disclose the names of
their shareholders.
Is there an antitrust law limiting concentration in the daily press
There is no specific limit, but the Minister for Enterprise and
Employment has the power to refer any proposed takeover,
merger or investment to the Competitions Authority to
determine whether such an action would lead to a distortion in
trade or lessening of commercial competition.
Is further regulation of media concentration expected No
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WORLD ASSOCIATION OF NEWSPAPERS - WORLD PRESS TRENDS 2003