Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator O'Toole for his comments on this matter, which he has raised previously in the House. The Government is encouraging RTE to broadcast to Irish people abroad — it is providing for that in legislation. It is not limiting RTE's ability to provide such services. During the debate in both Houses, I have focused on the need to reach out to the Irish community in the UK. I do not suggest that our role in helping Irish people abroad is limited to the UK. This legislation gives RTE a mandate to deliver a broadcasting service to Irish communities in all countries and not just the UK. It allows RTE to decide what platform it will use to that end, and in what way it will use it. Obviously, RTE will want such services to be provided on a free-to-air basis, as far as practicable. Most of RTE's domestically produced programming is available on its website. I refer to the kind of programmes which were mentioned by Senator O'Toole, such as news programmes and "Prime Time". It is likely that such matters will be covered in the broadcasts which will be aimed at Irish communities abroad.

To be honest, I am not really sure why RTE is encrypted on the Astra satellite when similar stations in other countries can be accessed throughout Europe. I presume the reason relates to deals which have been done on copyright, as I said the last time we considered this matter. It is a matter for RTE and Sky in the first instance. I agree with Senator O'Toole's aim of getting Irish-made programmes to as wide an audience as possible in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. The Government will support anything that facilitates the achievement of such an aim. I have amended this legislation to try to ensure that such programmes are as widely available as possible.