Results 6,841-6,860 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I fear for poor Deputy Broughan every time I come into the House to answer questions or to address a Bill. He gets himself into a lather of sweat about a whole range of issues during the course of his contribution. If he bothered his head and informed himself, he would realise there is no need to be getting excited about them.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Government is dealing with many of the issues raised by Deputy Broughan. He believes that ignorance is bliss. If he informed himself about what was happening he would not have to get himself worked up into righteous indignation every time he stands up in the House to have a go at the Government and so on. He should calm himself down a little and inform himself. If there are criticisms...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I refer to a number of serious points raised by Deputies during the debate. I will leave the political points aside. Deputy Durkan raised the issue of the provision in the Bill to allocate multiplexes on a regional basis for the purpose of radio broadcasting. This will be done by ComReg in consultation with the BCI. They may award the multiplex licence for radio specifying particular...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Deputies asked how soon DTT will be available once this Bill is passed. Once the Bill is passed RTE is immediately mandated to broadcast public service channels in DTT. There are currently no proposals with regard to ending free-to-air Irish broadcasts. I have indicated clearly to Deputy Broughan who has asked me the question six times but he has not heard the answer. I informed him it...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: No. We are not setting out anything. The trial will allow people to know what is the most suitable technology and it will be up to them to use the most suitable technology.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: What does the Deputy mean?

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: One would be very foolish to buy it until one was sure there would be something on it to listen to.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: We will not be doing the testing as it is not the responsibility of Government. Those who want to use multiplexes are the people who will decide about the technology. We are insisting that whatever multiplexes are used that one set-top box should be suitable and this will be licensed through the BCI. This is the only area where the Government will be involved in the technology. It is up...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Yes. Deputy Stagg made a number of points with regard to broadcasting to the Irish communities abroad. All of us would agree in general with Deputy Stagg on the importance of the matter. The proposal before us with regard to permitting RTE to provide a broadcasting service to Irish communities abroad begins the implementation, as Deputy Stagg said, of a key recommendation of the report on...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Is the Deputy referring to DTT? RTE is a commercial company and is entitled to do that. The Deputy asked how much the roll-out will cost. I am reluctant to give any kind of estimates until people who know the business well get down to the final stages of preparing estimates and so on. RTE calculated a broad figure a couple of years ago, when it felt it would cost in the region of €160...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: At that stage.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I do not know.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: This explains my reluctance to mention these matters. People tend to take guesses as firm commitments by the Government and then wrap them around its neck later on.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Deputy Broughan's raised the question of the elderly and those on social welfare, and referred to the United Kingdom——

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The United Kingdom made provision for groups such as the elderly with regard to analogue switch-off. We are considering the arrangements that were made in the UK and these will inform our view and policy in regard to analogue switch-off when we come to that point. A Deputy opposite suggested we should be spending money on information campaigns at this stage. That would be very premature....

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: Following the regional radio conference in 2006, spectrum usage will now be bound by international agreements and DTT spillover will be less likely, so we cannot rely on it as a method of providing television services to Irish households into the future. With the advent of the national DTT roll-out, it is likely that UK television services will be offered on the DTT platforms. In addition,...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." This Bill has two major goals. The first is to allow RTE to provide a television and radio service to Irish communities living outside the island of Ireland. The second is to hasten the development of digital terrestrial broadcasting services in Ireland. I propose to deal with each of these goals in turn. The issue of contact with Ireland...

Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy has more to worry about in that regard than me.

European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (22 Feb 2007)

Noel Dempsey: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on European Affairs, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.