Codes
Access Rules
The Access Rules determine the levels of subtitling, sign language and audio description that broadcasters in Ireland will be required to provide in accordance with their statutory obligations. The BCI have been directed to draw up the rules further to the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2001.
The legislation required the BCI to draw up rules which will require broadcasters to take steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment of programmes by people who are deaf, hard of hearing or blind or visually impaired. It allows for the rules to specify the percentage of programmes broadcast by the broadcaster that must be accessible.
The code was developed through a public consultation together with submissions received from various interest groups. The code came into effect on the 1st March 2005.
What stations will come under the Access Rules?
The Access Rules developed by the BCI will only apply to broadcasters in the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland. This means that the Access Rules will apply to the four indigenous terrestrial services, namely RTÉ 1, RTÉ 2, TG4 and TV3. The BCI reserves the right to extend the rules and their applicability to new services licensed by the BCI under the Broadcasting Act, 2001. This assessment will be made on a case by case basis.
Recent Documents
Show me the Access Rules Statement of Outcomes 2008.
Show me the Access Rules Statement of Outcomes 2007.
Show me the Access Rules Statement of Outcomes 2006.
Access Rules
Show me the Access Rules.
BCI Guidelines
Show me the BCI Guidelines on Audio Description.
Show me the BCI Guidelines on Irish Sign Language.
Show me the BCI Guidelines on Subtitling.
Documents relating to the development of the Code can be found in the table below.
| Name: | Document size: |
| Report of the Chairperson to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland on the proceedings of the Access Consultative Forum | (pdf 147kb) |
| Accessing Television | (pdf 356kb) |
| Access Rules Consultation Document | (pdf 187kb) |
| Access Rules: Statement of Outcomes | (pdf 73kb) |
| Access Rules: Review of submissions received | (pdf356kb) |