The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has announced plans to license a number of additional commercial radio stations over the next three years.
The BCI will be seeking applications for a range of services, including three new regional youth services aimed at the 15-34 age group. These will be based in the southwest, northwest and northeast/midlands.
There are also plans for a 'quasi-national' speech-based service, for which applications are being invited in October. This would cover around 75% of the country.
Other plans include a national Christian service on AM, a classic rock station for Dublin, an easy listening station covering the country's major cities, and country and Irish music stations for the northeast and midwest.
The plans are subject to approval by the communications regulator ComReg.
The BCI will also be seeking expressions of interest for the existing national licence, currently held by Today FM.
