Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Senator O'Toole has made an interesting point. However, we do not have a satellite over which we have control. The reason we need the DTT multiplexes is to allow us switch off our analogue system but still retain control through our masts and transmission system for free to air and other programming. It is of strategic interest for the State to have such a transmission system and I am very keen it is introduced as soon as possible. There will be difficulty this summer as the British authorities start to switch off some of their analogue services and some of the spill-over we have will be lost. We need to replace this with a multi-channel offering, which we can do with DTT. However, this is not a matter over which I have direct control.

The BCI is responsible for the negotiations with the next consortium that is interested. I very much regret that the first contractual arrangements fell at a hurdle. I keep in regular contact with the BCI and hope to see progress on the alternative DTT platform and see it up and running. I am confident we will see progress and that it will provide a good public service. There is a certain urgency to the situation now and I look forward to the successful development of DTT here.