Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for RTE to develop a free-to-view digital broadcasting service as a replacement for the national analogue television service offering access to RTE 1, RTE 2, TV3 and TG4 and for the subsequent closure of the national analogue television service.

The Act also provides opportunities for the development of a commercial digital terrestrial television, DTT, service. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, an independent regulatory authority, is required to provide for the development of commercial DTT services.

The BAI's predecessor, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, initiated a competition for a commercial DTT service provider. The highest placed consortium withdrew from the process in April 2009. As a result, negotiations commenced with the next placed bidder, OneVision, which are still ongoing.

As stated in earlier replies to this question, I am not prepared to speculate or hypothesise on the outcome of what is a commercial licensing process which is a matter for the independent regulator, the BAI.

I have made it clear to the authority that I would like to see this process concluded as soon as possible so that clarity and certainty with regard to commercial DTT can be provided to broadcasters and viewers alike. However, the legislation does not provide for a role for me, as Minister, in the competition process for a commercial DTT service.

My priority, in accordance with national policy is to provide for the closure, in 2012, of the analogue free-to-view broadcasting service. The European Commission has set 2012 as the timeline for analogue switch-off across Europe and the Council of Ministers has asked member states to complete switch over by 2012 in so far as possible. It is my intention that this switch off will be no later than the last quarter in 2012. RTE is aware of this and is supportive of the deadline for analogue switch-off.

In this regard, and in the continuing absence of commercial DTT, I recently signed an order, SI No. 85/2010, RTE (National Television Multiplex) Order, under section 129 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 requiring RTE to launch a free-to-view DTT service to approximately 90% of the population by 31 October 2010.

The 2009 Act also requires RTE to provide the full national free-to-view digital service, capable of carrying RTE 1, RTE 2, TG4 and TV3, by the end of 2011, or such date as I may specify. I have informed RTE the date for the provision of a national service is 31 December 2011.

See this speech in context