Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to open this debate on the Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003. This Bill is a core element in the programme of public service broadcasting reforms which I announced in December last year. It provides for the allocation of 5% of the net proceeds of the television licence fee, approximately €8 million annually, to a scheme to fund new programmes on television and radio. This initiative will increase the availability of high quality programmes on television and radio in both the public and private broadcasting sectors. The scheme will be available for new programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience. It will also deliver new programmes to improve adult literacy and additional Irish language programming.

In recent years the debate on broadcasting in Europe has been dominated to a significant degree by issues related to digital television. The debate has focused on what technology will win out or what business model is most likely to succeed. Some people have criticised the lack of progress in this area. They advance simplistic and baseless arguments. They ignore the spectacular failures of a number of pay DTT platforms. They ignore the rights issues which our broadcasters would face on many digital platforms. They ignore the complex realities and the substantial cost to put up a DTT platform. I do not have that luxury because I must live in the real world, with real policies affecting real people.

My bottom line is that I want digital platforms for Ireland which work. There is no point rushing to mimic the pay DTT platforms which have lost billions or rushing to mimic the satellite platforms where copyright issues would entail huge financial and ultimately programming losses for Irish broadcasters. I have instructed my officials to assess the options for rolling out digital television services in Ireland, in particular the options related to digital terrestrial television. This consideration is being informed by international experience, including the spectacular failure of a number of pay DTT platforms. My Department is consulting with industry and will report to me by the end of the year. I want whatever solution emerges to include the possibility of a broadband offering. This will improve the economics of the platform. It will also provide much needed cross-platform competition in the broadband sector and it could provide universal broadband connectivity. This is especially relevant to rural Ireland where the market is not addressing broadband demand.