Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

Amendments Nos. 1, 9 and 11 to 22, inclusive, are minor necessary improvements to the text of the Bill as pointed out by the draftsperson. Amendments Nos. 20 to 22, inclusive, are similar to amendments proposed by Deputy Durkan on Committee Stage in the Dáil. After a discussion with the parliamentary draftsperson, it was agreed the amendments would enhance the text of the Bill.

Amendment No. 2 requires the RTE authority to move quickly to begin the implementation of digital terrestrial television roll-out and to ensure the extent of coverage of its channels RTE 1 and RTE 2 through DTT roll-out is similar to that available from the analogue network currently. It is important that viewers in regional and remote areas continue to have the same access to the public service broadcasters on a free-to-air basis as they do now. In a number of years, it may be the case that a small percentage of the population who receive analogue terrestrial television will receive digital television by means other than terrestrial. In the main, the DTT coverage area or footprint should mirror the analogue footprint. From recollection, there was strong debate in this House on this matter.

The amendments in group 3 deal with the issue of the right of carriage of TV3 and TG4 on the national multiplex service established by the RTE authority. Amendments Nos. 3 and 6 allow for consultation with ComReg regarding the charges for carriage and will give greater certainty to TG4, TV3 and other parties as to the transparency around transmission costs charged by RTE.

Amendments Nos. 4 and 5 clarify the role of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland in requesting whether the television programme service contractor, currently TV3, is carried on the RTE multiplex. Amendment No. 7 allows for further consultation with the BCI to ensure TV3, if carried, has adequate digital capacity on the RTE multiplex. Amendment No. 8 removes some uncertainty pointed out by the BCI as to whether it must endeavour to provide for TV3 on a separate multiplex in advance of TV3 being carried on the RTE multiplex. Amendment No. 10 allows for further consultation with the BCI to ensure both TG4 and TV3, if carried, have adequate digital capacity.

Amendments Nos. 23 and 24 relate to the issue of digital switch-over. Amendment No. 23 places a duty on RTE to have a role in providing public information about how to access digital television services and the practical issues involved for viewers. This is similar to the duty placed on the BBC regarding digital switch-over in the United Kingdom. Amendment No. 24 provides that RTE must report to the Minister at intervals on progress made with digital broadcasting. Any report submitted in this regard will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The latter amendment derives from an amendment raised by Deputy Broughan on Committee Stage. It is essential that a full roll-out of DTT takes place before digital switch-over can be facilitated. The aim of the DTT pilot project under way is to provide insight into the issues associated with the roll-out of a national DTT system and the potential impact on the analogue television network. In addition, the experience gained during the initial years of DTT operation by RTE under this legislation will also help to inform any decision in this regard. Section 11 puts in place a general framework for high-level consideration and planning for analogue switch-off. However, the availability of digital services throughout the State and the consumer uptake must be assessed before tackling the specific details surrounding switch-over.