Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that inappropriate viewing channels can be accessed from a television provider (details supplied); the action he intends to take to facilitate barring of such channels within a household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16561/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Content broadcast on RTE's television channels, along with channels licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, is subject to Irish codes and rules for television programmes. There are, however, many other channels available to Irish viewers on pay television platforms. Such channels are subject to the regulations of the country from which they originate and are not subject to Irish regulation.

In a digital environment, channels are accessed through the use of an electronic programme guide. It is the norm that such guides categorise programmes by genre to help viewers find the type of programme they wish to watch. Pay television operators sometimes provide their customers with tools for controlling access to certain channels. The pay television service provider referred to by the Deputy operates from the UK and as a result the UK authorities regulate its operations. I have no role in the matter.