Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 85:

In page 84, before section 78, to insert the following new section:

"78.—(1) The Authority shall not conclude a satellite content contract with a person for the purpose of material being supplied for its transmission as a broadcasting service (intended for reception in the State) by means of a satellite device unless satisfied that recipients of the service will be in a position to receive by satellite device each free to air service provided by RTÉ, TG4 and the television service programme contractor as a basic programmeservice.

(2) This section applies to satellite content contracts whether concluded before or after the passing of this Act.

(3) In this section—

"basic programme service" means the programme material made available to persons by means of a satellite device at the lowest rate in any scale of charges that are made for the reception of such services by means of a satellite device;

"free to air services" includes such free to air services as are available at the date of passing of this Act.".

This amendment proposed a "must carry" obligation on satellite contractors. Satellite service contractors, under this section, will be obliged to carry RTE channels, TG4 and TV3, thus competing on a level playing field with cable operators.