Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 568: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources further to replies to previous parliamentary questions, if he will legislate to cater for the needs of persons with hearing difficulties with particular reference to subtitles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25174/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans to introduce further legislation to cater for the needs of persons with hearing difficulties. The Deputy will be aware that section 53 of the Disability Act 2005, amends section 19(11) of the Broadcasting Act 2001. Section 19(11) provided that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, shall make rules requiring each broadcaster to take specified steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment by persons who are deaf or hard of hearing on programmes transmitted by each broadcaster.

Section 53 of the Disability Act expands this provision and provides that the rules shall require each broadcaster to take specified steps to provide access to audio-visual material to people with sensory impairments by means of specified services, such as sign language, teletext, etc., and to have regard to whether the material is being provided daily or at other regular intervals, at popular viewing times and for news and news related matters as well as for other matters. The Deputy will also be aware that the BCI has published the access rules that are provided for under section 19(11) of the Broadcasting Act 2001.