Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Taking up the Minister's theme as outlined in the debate on the previous amendments, I would not support specifics when it comes to technology. In general, Bills of a technical nature tend to deal with generalities rather than specifics because technology changes so quickly — only 25 years ago it was not possible to record a programme for future viewing. Digital broadcasting is a new phenomenon. Customers are now urged to ensure they have high definition as an option when buying a television even though high definition programmes are yet to be broadcast on a regular basis. The Minister was right earlier that we should tread cautiously in fixing a particular type of technology in this area.

I am not a technical expert but to grapple with the debate that has arisen as a result of this Bill, I tried to find out as much as possible. I come from a broadcasting background so I have an ongoing interest in this. Digital audio broadcasting and digital radio mondiale are not rival technologies. DAB is primarily used on a national basis while DRM is used for international purposes. RTE has a long-wave transmitter on Summerhill, in the Minister's constituency, which is approaching the end of its lifespan. It is in the process of upgrading the transmitter so it will have a dual capacity whereby it will continue to provide a long-wave service which Irish people abroad can pick up, although on the Atlantic coast in Portugal and such areas medium-wave is available. More than two thirds of Britain can receive the long-wave signal. The dual capacity element of the new transmitter is DRM, not DAB, primarily because it is best suited for long-range transmission.

The European Broadcasting Union's digital strategy group published a report entitled "Public Service Media for the Digital Age" on 26 June 2006. It stated that by the end of 2006, more than 50 countries would launch DAB broadcasts on a permanent or test basis. There are now more than 475 million people who are potentially covered by DAB signals and more than 800 radio stations, most of them European, are broadcasting on DAB. In the receiver market, the report notes, there are more than 200 receivers available as prices decline and sales grow. Digital radio mondiale, DRM, is intended as a digital alternative to replace AM analogue radio channels in the short, medium or long wave bands. That is why RTE purchased a dual capacity transmitter for Summerhill, it will eventually replace the long-wave signal.

The report goes on to state that it may also be a viable alternative to DAB for radio stations covering large areas or complex topographies. This is significant for Ireland, which has mountainous regions. There are still parts of the country, such as south-west Cork and Donegal, where it was sometimes difficult to pick up the RTE FM signal until repeater stations were established.

The report continues that the first multi-standard receivers have entered the market in the last 12 months, combining DRM with AM, FM and DAB, which is in keeping with RTE's initiative in having a dual capacity transmitter. DRM also contains a modest data capacity for additional text services. Broadcasters such as the BBC and Deutsche Welle in Germany are using or testing DRM for overseas broadcasting. RTL in Germany has begun broadcasting on DRM for its European market.

An additional system, DRM 120, is planned for the VHF bands as a digital replacement for FM radio channels, which addresses Senator Henry's comments about over the bridge and under the bridge. It will deal with the bit level available on the spectrum that can affect the quality of the FM signal. This system may be valuable in parts of the world where there is still space on the VHF/FM bands, although there is not much surplus space available in Ireland and we have agreed internationally to go on to an VHF3 band, which is part of the new technology. The Minister and his officials are the experts in terms of drafting and executing the Bill. I am merely attempting to outline the reasons I would not necessarily support the arguments made by those who brought these amendments.

Predicting the future of technology is a hazardous undertaking, so I agree with the Minister that legislation should not be prescriptive with regard to the technical ways and means of achieving the objective of a superb radio service with state-of-the-art technology for domestic audiences and the Irish abroad. Projecting the image of Ireland to an international radio audience is a separate issue. The current dual approach of testing DRM while continuing to support DAB is the best way forward, although the Minister is right to avoid setting out a specific technological direction in this Bill.