The chief executive of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI), Mr Michael O'Keeffe, has welcomed the forum's proposal for the creation of single regulator for the industry, which would incorporate the BCI's existing functions.
But, he said, he did "not believe it would be in the best interests of successful regulation" for that to mean the dissolution of BCI after just 12 months in existence.
The commission had recommended the establishment of a single regulator for State and commercial broadcasters by means of transferring regulatory functions currently held by the RTÉ Authority to it.
However, instead of proposing this, the forum said a new single regulator, called the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), should be established under legislation within three years.
This would supersede the BCI, and entail the redefinition of the RTÉ Authority as a board of directors for the State broadcaster.
Mr O'Keeffe stressed he welcomed the principle of a single regulator. But as to whether this should be in the form of a new authority, he said: "We would argue there is a huge level of expertise on regulatory matters [within the BCI\], and would undoubtedly see that role continuing."
It is expected the BCI will lobby the Minister for Communications, Mr Ahern, on the issue before he brings legislative proposals to the Cabinet.
In contrast to the BCI's view, RTÉ executive Mr Peter Feeney said it welcomed the forum's "recognition that the regulator has to be a new body."
He said the BCI, as an organisation designed to promote the commercial sector, had "a potential conflict of interest". Therefore, he said, "we would be concerned if the new functions were merely absorbed by the BCI".
Meanwhile, hoteliers have reacted angrily to the forum's suggestion that they might be subjected to higher licence fees.
Mr John Power, chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, said the proposal "smacks of a easy target".
"We are already paying through the nose for labour costs, insurance and refuse collection. Then we are criticised for the cost of hotel charges. But everything like this is adding another straw to the camel's back," he said.
The report stated: "The introduction of a higher licence fee for commercial premises should be considered in terms of cost-effectiveness and feasibility.
"In principle, there is a prima facie case for an additional fee where access to television is provided as part of a service. The application of such a fee is commonplace in Europe."
