Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I, too, have been deeply frustrated about the delays. It is not a lack of ambition or intention on my part that has delayed the process. However, a process is set out in the 2007 Act, which was adopted by the 2009 Act, and we must follow it. The process will comprise a free to air service and the commercial multiplex. The contractual arrangements for the multiplex must be negotiated between the BAI and the commercial operator and between the operator and RTE regarding the transmission network. Earlier this year, I indicated when the Boxer consortium failed that I was confident the second choice in the BAI process would get up and running. I had expected that the contractual arrangements would be much clearer by early autumn and it is deeply frustrating that the process has not led to a result. I cannot have direct control over this. I must be careful not to interfere with a process set out in legislation, but I have concerns about the delays and all parties should be aware of this.

With regard to the Deputy's two questions, I have said to all the parties at each stage that the 2012 deadlines still holds. There is an urgency for us in switching off our analogue system to use the released spectrum for alternative uses, particularly in the broadband sector. That is an imperative and I am still looking to implement that deadline.

The Deputy's second question related to whether it is best to launch a unified single service. That is the preferred solution but if we cannot achieve a satisfactory outcome in the current process and it cannot deliver something that is commercially viable for the operator, which meets the requirements set out in legislation, we will have to examine alternatives and we will find a solution that meets our objectives.

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