The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (Tuesday 23rd May) announced the signing of four community and community of interest sound broadcasting contracts. The services comprise a community radio service for North West Dublin, Phoenix FM; a community of interest service for the students of Limerick City, Wired FM; a community of interest service, for the students of Galway City, Flirt FM; and a community of interest service for the students of Cork City, UCC 98.3 FM.
Speaking at the contract signings, Chief Executive of the BAI, Michael O’Keeffe, said: “Community radio plays an important role in facilitating active citizenship and in promoting access and participation by members of a community in a radio service that is representative of their interests and needs. Community and community of interest radio services have been an integral part of the Irish media landscape for the past twenty years. Today’s contract signings mark the continued commitment of each of the contractors and of the BAI to community radio in Ireland. I would like to wish the services continued success over the term of their new licences.”
The BAI was represented at the contract signings by the Chairperson, Pauric Travers and Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive. The signatories for each of the stations, together with the effective date for each contract, are as follows:
| Station Name | Franchise Area | Station Signatories | Effective Date |
| Phoenix FM | North West Dublin | Chairperson; Rachel Devlin
Secretary; Cecilia Durnin |
1st July 2017 |
| Wired FM | Students of Limerick City | Chairperson; Niall Quinn
Secretary; Ray Burke |
21st June 2017 |
| Flirt FM | Students of Galway City | Secretary; John Hannon
Director; Bernadette O’ Sullivan |
21st June 2017 |
| UCC 98.3 FM | Students of Cork
City |
Director; Beatrice McCarthy
Station Manager: Kieran Hurley |
21st June 2017 |
ENDS
Media Queries to:
Joanne Ahern / Sebastian Enke,
DHR Communications,
Tel: 01-4200580 / 087-9881837 / 087-3239496.