Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

Yes, it will be tomorrow and I will contribute on both days.

I welcome the Broadcasting Bill 2008. Undoubtedly, while the media have transformed our lives, things have changed dramatically in that sector during the past 40 years. I recently read an account of President John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland in 1963 highlighting what a major undertaking it was for RTE to broadcast the visit live. In all, it broadcasted approximately 14 hours of live coverage of his visit, which constituted a major task for the station at the time. Great technological advances in television broadcasting certainly have been made. While President Kennedy's visit took place a long time ago, all Members can recall the events of 11 September 2001 when people witnessed the second aeroplane crashing into the tower live on their television screens. The dramatic changes in broadcasting during that period have been such that the attack was beamed into every home in the United States and Ireland.

This legislation is long overdue and although it contains many good provisions that I welcome, some areas will require fine tuning. "Digital" is the new buzzword and Members have been informed that digital broadcasting will come into force in December 2012 when analogue transmissions will cease and the new era of digital broadcasting in the form of digital terrestrial television, DTT, will commence. While the European Commission is anxious to push this date forward, that is unlikely at this stage.

There is very little information on how the transfer will come about or its costs. The Minister should comment on this issue in his response to Members at the conclusion of the Second Stage debate. Consumers will be obliged to acquire a new set-top box to receive the channels and I wish to ascertain what it will cost. While Members have been told that RTE will provide four free-to-air channels, I seek information on the cost involved, particularly on whether elderly people living in isolated rural areas will be obliged to pay a charge. Radio and television services constitute a lifeline for those living alone and for many, serve as the candle in the window. Members must find out whether the service will continue to be free to air? I refer to the example of television licences. Everyone remembers when a television licence cost £5 per annum. The annual cost subsequently increased to £50 and then to the present amount, which I understand to be €150. Clearly, the licence fee has increased greatly as the years have passed. Moreover, Sky Television which has been installed in many households in recent years costs a phenomenal amount. Many householders who subscribe to the film and sports channels pay more than €100 per month to receive such broadcasts.

Do I have much more time before the debate must adjourn?

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