Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister aware of the concern that the delivery of digital broadcasting seems to be taking an extraordinarily long time? There is a fear among those involved in the industry and some who expected a more rapid turnabout that there will be a repeat of the broadband debacle. The degree to which digital transmission is being pushed by the regulator and the Government is not sufficient to register in the area. The Minister referred to the Broadcasting Bill in relation to which it has been suggested that some of the technology proposed is out of date. Investment of that nature is only a stepping stone and not what is required to provide the level of service necessary. Will the pilot schemes currently taking place and the technology now available be utilised to deliver, as soon as possible, a digital service to the 50% of people in the country who do not have it? Those people live in hope of such a service and have been living in hope for several years.

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