Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the amount which has been spent on consultants over each of the past five years to investigate the issue of the introduction of digital television services here; and when he will be able to outline a Government policy on this issue. [8462/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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A list of all consultancies relating to the introduction of digital television services is being made available. The total amount spent over the period in question is €2,591,744. These costs relate primarily to technical, financial and legal advice in relation to the "multiplex" licence competition held by the Department in 2001 and 2002. No applicant was successful in that competition. Since the wind up of that competition in 2002, consultancy expenses have been restricted to less than €60,000.

With regard to television broadcasting, Ireland's primary television stations are available throughout the country on a free-to-air basis through analogue terrestrial transmission. Free-to-air digital terrestrial television is not yet available in Ireland, though provided for under the Broadcasting Act 2001. Over time, the analogue terrestrial network must be upgraded to a digital network.

I am currently developing further proposals for the roll out of digital terrestrial television services in Ireland. In this regard I have asked my Department to develop a digital terrestrial television trial this year. As the digital terrestrial television demonstration is developed, I will outline my intentions regarding possible dates for a switch over from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasts.

A list of all consultancies relating to the issue of the introduction of digital television services in the past five years is shown in the table.