Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

The BCI will then offer to the market further multiplexes to be filled with content. The extent to which various commercial broadcasters come forward to avail of this service will be a matter for the market. We cannot predict how many channels will be available but those free-to-air channels will certainly be available.

Some Senators have asked about the technical aspects of the analogue switch-off. Households currently availing of free-to-air terrestrial broadcasting only require a television set and a rooftop or portable aerial but a set-top box will be required for DTT viewing. A range of set-top boxes will be available, many of which are retailing in other jurisdictions for under €50 compared with costs of €200 or €150 last year. The coming of DTT availability throughout Europe has considerably lowered the cost of the set-top boxes. This will be the main expense of the service where viewers migrate to DTT.

People will be given sufficient warning about the arrival of digital terrestrial television to enable them to shop around. The timing and implementation of the analogue switch-off must also be publicised in order that it is understood. The Government must ensure it gives adequate notice of the switch-off and will have a key role in co-ordinating with broadcasters, equipment manufacturers and others to ensure good quality information is available.

Senators welcomed the move towards broadcasting to Irish communities abroad, a key recommendation of the report of the task force on policy regarding emigrants. As Senators noted, the report contained detailed recommendations, many of which are being implemented. At the time, general agreement was reached with the appropriate organisations that the recommendations were best implemented on a phased basis.

The Government continues to prioritise the need to support the most vulnerable and marginalised Irish communities abroad, for example, older Irish people in Britain and many of the undocumented Irish people in the United States. We have increased funding in this area, particularly since 2004, on foot of the report. As a result, it has been possible to fund the highest ever number of emigrant organisations and widen the scope of the projects receiving support.

A sum of more than €15 million has been allocated for emigrant services this year. This is an increase of 26% on last year's allocation and 15 times greater than the 1997 allocation for such organisations. The ongoing implementation of the task force report's recommendations is a clear reflection of the Government's firm commitment to the emigrant community. This commitment is also a fair reflection of the strength of the belief on all sides of the political system and among the wider population that we should not forget our emigrant community. Additional funding and the establishment and operation of the Irish abroad unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs are welcome developments which have also been warmly welcomed by organisations in the voluntary sector.

Having visited the recent 2006 ITU world telecom conference in Hong Kong, I must disagree with Senator Ryan's view on high definition television. The event featured comparisons between high definition and conventional television, including a demonstration of how one could read the writing on the nib of a fountain pen on a high definition television screen. I usually need glasses or a magnifying glass to read this lettering and the demonstration brought home to me how much sharper high definition television is than ordinary television. This form of television will add to the enjoyment of viewers in future.

Senator Ryan raised a more serious point when he argued that ComReg has failed to protect the interests of consumers. His criticism is unfair because ComReg, of all the regulators, has one of the best websites for consumers, including information on and analyses of prices being charged. The Senator also faulted the regulator for not forcing a reduction in prices in retail broadcasting. Under European Union directives, ComReg does not have powers to regulate prices of companies such as NTL and Chorus which operate in this market.

Senators Norris and Ryan raised the possibility of introducing the digital radio mondiale — DRM — standard for radio broadcasters. The standard under consideration by the Department and RTE is digital audio broadcasting or DAB. While the legislation does not specify a standard for radio broadcasters, opinions differ on which of them is the best. The Department will seek to ensure the best standard is applied. RTE is running a DAB pilot project and further information will become available once the scheme is completed.

A number of Senators raised the issue of blindness and disability in old age. One of the benefits technical experts tend not to discuss in detail when describing digital terrestrial television is that its enhanced functionality will make it easier to provide services such as subtitling and audio description and will allow much greater interactive participation, all of which should be of assistance to people with disabilities.

Senators referred to the decision to exclude radio broadcasting from the provisions of the Bill. The reason it was not specifically included is that RTE radio broadcasts are available internationally via satellite and on long wave. I will consider Senators' requests that I specifically include references to radio broadcasting in the Bill and will amend the legislation accordingly on Committee Stage if it transpires that to do so would not cause technical or legal difficulties. I must also check whether such amendments would delay the legislation. I assure the House that if radio broadcasting is not included in this Bill, it will be included in the larger broadcasting Bill to be introduced at a later date.

Senator Mooney sought clarification on sections 14 and 15 which are technical and, as such, may give rise to confusion. The sections are simple if one refers back to the relevant sections of the principal Act. Section 14 amends section 28(8) of the 2001 Act to allow RTE to use public funds drawn from television licence fee income for the purpose of providing the proposed new television services to Irish communities abroad and developing the RTE Authority's proposed national digital terrestrial television. As these developments have not been possible heretofore, the Bill provides for a specific power allowing RTE to use the funds in the manner proposed. The section also amends section 28(10) to require that the RTE authority report to the Minister on the use of public funding for such a purpose. Senator Mooney's concern was to ensure this procedure takes place in a transparent manner. This is precisely what the provision requires.