Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Yes, but the legislation in question is now the Minister's responsibility.

The first two preferred bidders in the tendering process established by the legislation are out of the game. Will the Minister confirm he expects the BAI to move on to the third best bidder? It may not have been a chosen operator at all but, because it was the last man standing, it could potentially be the next operator of commercial multiplexes. That is not the way to roll out digital television. The Minister needs to ask the BAI if it is satisfied that it has exhausted the tendering process set up by the previous Government and how it should deal with the matter as time is running out. At what stage will the Minister have that meeting or will he continue to keep his head in the sand while the system collapses?

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