Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

Is it possible that, in 2009 or 2010, many householders on the east coast and the Border regions will have a Noel Dempsey moment? Might they flick on a screen, see snowy, wavy lines and say "God be with Noel Dempsey" or words to that effect? Has RTE not warned that, owing to the fact the Minister has been so slow — for example, we are a long way behind the UK — householders on the east coast and in the Border regions will be seriously disadvantaged in this regard? It is yet another instance of the outgoing Government falling behind schedule.

Has the Minister considered the overall costs of the migration to digital? Has he assessed how valuable the analogue spectrum will be when it is freed up? He has given RTE a role in this process but has he given ComReg a role? Has he finally decided on a year when we will switch off? Will it be 2012?

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