John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the development of the public and private broadcasting sectors in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8380/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My core policy objectives for the development of the broadcasting sector are detailed in my Department's statement of strategy, 2003-2005. These objectives are to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTE, to secure a viable future for high quality public service broadcasting, and to seek to retain access to a range of high quality programming in analogue and digital form on a universal and free-to-air basis.

My key priorities for achieving these objectives include the following: developing the regulatory framework by bringing forward a Bill to provide for the establishment of a single content regulator for both public and private broadcasters and to establish RTE on the lines of a company under the Companies Acts, taking steps to establish TG4 as an independent entity, ensuring adequate public funding for RTE and TG4 so that they can deliver on their statutory mandate; building on progress made in maximising the effectiveness of television licence fee collection, developing proposals to ensure that in a digital era Irish viewers continue to enjoy access to a range of high quality programming, and bringing forward proposals for the future licensing of radio services in Ireland.

I am of the opinion that viewers will be best served by a broadcasting environment that includes a strong public service broadcasting presence in the form of RTE and an independent TG4 together with private broadcasters. Digital television offers opportunities for Irish viewers to avail of an increased number of broadcasting services, including new services of particular relevance or interest to Irish audiences.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Many local radio stations are being sold for extraordinary amounts of money. Given the proliferation of licences granted in Dublin, is there a possibility of allowing competition in a franchised area where only one licence operates? Does the Minister believe the independent broadcasting fund should be expanded to allow private broadcasters to invest more in public service programming?

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The question of granting licences and the issue of franchises and so on are a matter for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. I have no ideological hang-up about introducing competition. I note that the BCI is allowing increased competition in a number of areas. A few years ago it introduced the concept of a regional radio station in the south east. I have no problem with that.

The scheme for funding is administered by the BCI and is being finalised. The possibility of using it specifically for what would be termed public service broadcasting is addressed reasonably well given that programmes that are financed from that fund are ones that are not normally and probably never would be funded at peak time rates and they must be played at peak viewing times. The public service element of that is included in the draft regulations that are being put in place.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Is it possible that as the BCI makes statements about granting more licences and the more competition there allegedly is, the blander the programme content will become? As we flick through the dials on the way home to Meath or Kildare, will we hear virtually the same types of programmes?

Is the Minister concerned that the chairman of the BCI has stated that he may reduce the requirement that news and current affairs must constitute 20% of programming? Should there not be a public service broadcasting requirement on every station?

Are BCI and ComReg not all over the place regarding the spectrum, given that this is such a valuable resource for an island nation? Is it possible that we could utilise it better to benefit the Exchequer as well as everything else? Does the Minister agree that the two regulators are approaching this from different angles?

The Minister referred to digital services. I note that Oftel, the UK regulator, has published many studies on the introduction of digital services. I have one entitled Driving Digital Switchover. We have had nothing in this regard in this country. The Minister appears not to have asked these regulators for anything in this area. Is that something the Minister might act upon during the next few months in this ministry?

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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There is always a danger that if there are more licences, stations will become blander. While the BCI is committed to granting more licences, it is also trying to uphold quality. Some of the licences it has issued have been for specific areas and specific interests. Listenership figures show that we have not yet got to a stage where everything is very bland.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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What about the figures for "The Dunphy Show"?

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is trying to tempt me. The reduction of news and current affairs to below 20% of programming is something I would very much regret and on which I would make my views known. There are certain minimum levels of public service broadcasting that most stations should carry.

On digital services, the Deputy will be pleased that in the next three or four weeks I will be putting in place a few experiments relating to digital terrestrial television. We are talking in terms of setting a date for the changeover from analogue to digital and are starting to move in that direction. The Deputy is correct in stating that we need to give people plenty of notice to ensure both the consumers and the market know our direction in this matter. I will outline our plans in the coming weeks.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The last point is the one in which I am interested. Has the Minister received a report on the matter? Will he issue a policy document or will he issue direction to the broadcasting commission to establish experimental digital services? Given that the Minister is considering this issue, when does he believe we will have widespread availability of digital services? Does the Minister agree this technology has had a long gestation period? I have been reading reports for many years stating that technology is just around the corner. While we have turned several corners, we have yet to see a sign of it. I ask for more detail of what is around the corner.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Given the success of the local digital television service in Waterford, does the Minister have plans to promote the concept in the regions, for which a huge potential market exists?

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be delighted to know that Navan also had a very successful local television service. I believe it was one of the first ones. It worked well with a limited audience.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I hope it is in better shape than the footpaths.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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They will all be watching it on Saturday.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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It covers many matters of local interest, mainly in the evening.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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There is not much need for it at 4.30 a.m.

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputies would not expect me to spoil a full-scale announcement due to take place at a later stage. I agree with Deputy Eamon Ryan in the matter. About three or four years ago huge interest was expressed in moving to a digital service. As has happened throughout Europe, it was felt the private sector would move into this area. While a competition took place, no successful bidder emerged. We will address the need to move to DTT. Following discussions with ComReg, all the outstanding points are nearly resolved and no major difficulty remains. We intend to provide DTT in a few experimental areas. Based on what we learn over a two to three-year period we will make the decision to roll out the service nationwide. When we launch the experiment I intend to give an indicative date as to when this will move completely to a digital service. I plan to give people as much notice as possible on the conversion.