Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

The amendments relate to a mixture of radio and television. The Bill is technical, but we should not be too afraid of technology. It is not the case that there is a great deal of physical hardware, which we imagine when we discuss muxes. A multiplex is part of a spectrum, which is available to everyone. It is not physical. Often, people who listen to us get the impression that they would be able to see or buy these objects. Senator Mooney is correct in that we will discuss technical aspects later, as these amendments relate to the inclusion of broadcasting.

Regarding DAB and DRM, both have pluses and minuses, but DAB is the preferred option. RTE is experimenting in that regard because DAB is more suited to the sending of signals to the domestic market. I am unsure concerning the question of difficulties, but problems with bridges or tunnels may prompt RTE to look elsewhere. From our perspective, it is important that the legislation should not prescribe one way or another. RTE should be free to get the best available system.

DAB makes better allowances for small and regional stations than DRM. As to whether smaller stations will be able to transmit from multiplexes, the muxes will be open for people to bid onto multiplexes. I imagine that different radio and television groups will put packages together, seek spectrum space from the BCI and be adjudged. It is good to involve the BCI because it will have an overall view of gaps in what is available and will be able to make judgments on the types of programmes on the system.