The owner of Virgin Radio and GMTV, Scottish Media Group (SMG), is planning to apply for one of the four Dublin radio licences, it has emerged.Today is the closing date for companies and individuals to submit expressions of interest to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) in Dublin.

The Irish Times understands the following companies will be submitting expressions: Today FM, TV3, Thomas Crosbie Holdings; the British firm Emap; UTV; a consortium with links to East Coast Radio and several pirate stations including Phantom FM.

Other groups will not be submitting expressions at this stage, but are interested in getting involved.

This includes former Lite FM executive Mr Al Dunne and Mr Martin Block, who is leaving Lite shortly.

Denis O'Brien's Communicorp is not expected to submit an expression at this stage, but remains interested, sources said last night.

Mr Bobby Hain, from SMG, said research carried out on the Dublin radio market showed that despite several new stations coming on air, there was still not enough choice.

SMG's main radio asset is Virgin Radio. It was launched in April 1993 and broadcasts nationally on an AM licence and in London on a FM licence. It has a share in Scottish Radio Holdings, the company which bought Today FM last year. However, the companies operate entirely separately.

SMG has shareholdings in several major television production companies including Ginger Media, which was founded by entertainer Chris Evans. It has held the ITV licence for central Scotland since commercial television started in 1957.

The BCI is considering allocating four frequencies for Dublin. One will provide coverage in Dublin city and county; one will cover Dublin city and part of the county; while the other two will cover the area within the bounds of the M50.

The BCI decided to invite expressions of interest because it said it was conscious of the many calls for additional services in Dublin.