33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?

Broadcasting Act 2009 Section 39 
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) (a) or (b) prevents a broadcaster from transmitting party political broadcasts provided that a broadcaster does not, in the allocation of time for such broadcasts, give an unfair preference to any political party. Section 41 (3) A broadcaster shall not broadcast an advertisement which is directed towards a political end or which has any relation to an industrial dispute. (4) A broadcaster shall not broadcast an advertisement which addresses the issue of the merits or otherwise of adhering to any religious faith or belief or of becoming a member of any religion or religious organisation. (5) Nothing in subsection (3) is to be read as preventing the broadcasting of a party political broadcast provided that a broadcaster does not, in the allocation of time for such broadcasts, give an unfair preference to any political party.

While there is no obligation on broadcasters to transmit party political broadcasts, those that do so shall ensure that they are allocated in an equitable manner and ensure that party political broadcasts are transmitted at times that are aimed at achieving a similar audience for all such broadcasts. Similar broadcast treatment shall be provided for all party political broadcasts, both at their introduction and at their conclusion. Such broadcasts may only be availed of by political parties included on the Register of Political Parties as provided for under Irish law. 
See Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. 2018.  Rule 27 Guidelines, p. 9.