Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The Broadcasting Act, 2009 requires the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, an independent regulatory authority, to provide for the development of commercial digital terrestrial television services.

On foot of this requirement, the BAI's predecessor, the BCI, launched a competition, which is still ongoing. As the Deputy is aware, the highest placed consortium in the competition withdrew from the process last April. Negotiations then commenced with the next placed bidder and this process is continuing.

As I stated recently in response to a previous question on this issue, I am not prepared to speculate on the outcome of the commercial DTT process, which is a matter for the BAI and one in which I do not have a direct role. Nor am I prepared to surmise on the ongoing negotiations between BAI, RTE and the OneVision consortium. I have, however, made clear my views that I would like to see this process concluded as soon as possible.

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