John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I am only too pleased to acknowledge the contribution made by Senators on the Second Stage debate here. As Senator Norris pointed out, a strong recommendation and argument was made that the proposed legislation should require RTE to provide this radio service as well as a television service to Irish communities abroad and, as a consequence, section 3(1) was amended on Committee Stage to require RTE to provide such a service.

Primary legislation in the main outlines principles rather than specific technologies needed to support such principles. As a consequence, the amended wording sets out the principle that RTE must provide a radio service to Irish communities abroad but does not specify the broadcasting technology to be used in delivering such a service. In essence, the Bill entrusts RTE with the task of considering the most appropriate technological and financial means of addressing the broadcasting needs of Irish communities abroad and, importantly, to account for the public funds expended in such provision.

The amendment, as proposed by Senators Norris and Henry, would tie RTE to using the digital radio mondiale standard. This amendment might prove to be unnecessarily restrictive in terms of current and future technology solutions and, as such, I am unable to accept the proposed amendment.

With regard to some of the issues raised, DAB1, DAB2 and DRM are all fine choices but we should give the broadcasters the flexibility to let them best decide how to reach their audience. New radio sets would be required to listen to DAB and DRM. There are 200 types of DAB sets available ranging in price from €50 upwards. DRM sets are only coming on stream and are priced at €220 upwards.

The current text of the Bill allows RTE the flexibility to use both DRM and DAB. RTE's current position is that the DAB is the preferred digital alternative for national FM coverage and the DRM may be a digital alternative for its international long-wave services. RTE is upgrading its long-wave transmitter in Meath and will begin night-time DRM transmissions for RTE Radio 1 later this year.

We did not specify in the legislation covering the setting up of RTE in 1960 the technology that was to be used at that time. Therefore, I consider this amendment to be unnecessary.