Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for digital television rollout; the proposed timeframe for such rollout and the corresponding analogue switch-off date; his estimates of the number of Irish citizens who are not currently digital subscribers and will be affected by this changeover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27883/05]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the timetable and plan for the switchover to a national digital broadcasting platform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27839/05]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, further to Question No. 579 of 28 September 2005, the length of time the digital terrestrial television pilot programme will take to complete; the projected cost of the pilot programme; when he will be in a position to introduce digital television to every house; the benefits of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28036/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 132 and 173 together.

Digital television is already available in Ireland. Both cable-MMDS operators and satellite operators provide subscription digital television services to an estimated 40% of Irish television households. It is estimated that 28% of households receive analogue cable-MMDS services, and 32% of households avail of analogue terrestrial services as their sole means of receiving television broadcasts. It is also estimated that up to 90% of households receive analogue terrestrial transmissions on at least one television.

Analogue terrestrial television services are provided on a free-to-air basis. Over time it is expected that analogue terrestrial services will migrate to digital terrestrial services in most countries. This migration is already happening on a significant scale in a number of European countries.

I am committed to the long-term provision of a free-to-air digital terrestrial television, DTT, platform in Ireland. DTT can provide much more to the free-to-air viewer in terms of additional channels, improved quality of service, innovative new services, including data and interactivity, and increased availability of public and government information. I have proposed that a digital terrestrial television pilot programme be developed in Ireland. The purpose of the pilot is to bring further momentum to the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting and to test and trial various aspects of the service. I have asked my Department to implement the pilot and procurement processes are under way.

There are a number of stages to the pilot programme. Current procurement processes focus on the multiplex and transmission aspects of the pilot programme, essentially the construction of the necessary digital terrestrial television infrastructure. I expect that agreements will be in place on foot of procurement by the end of the year and that the infrastructure will be rolled out in early 2006. The initial transmission sites are at Clermont Carn in the north-east and Three Rock covering parts of the Dublin region. Once the pilot infrastructure is in place, broadcasts of various programme and data services can commence. It is expected that the pilot programme will continue for up to two years. As the pilot programme is subject to procurement, the actual costs of rolling out and operating it will become clear through competitive procurement processes.

I expect that the pilot programme will generate awareness and discussion among broadcasters, investors and other interested parties to move towards a full national rollout of DTT in time. I will be engaging with interested parties in this regard as the pilot programme commences and I will look to the Irish broadcasting sector to play an active role in the development of proposals for national DTT rollout.

A legislative framework for a national rollout of DTT is set out in the Broadcasting Act 2001. I will amend the existing statutory provisions, if necessary, to facilitate the introduction of DTT in Ireland.

As the pilot programme is developed and proposals for a national DTT rollout emerge, I will outline my intentions regarding possible dates for a switch-off of analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasts. Free-to-air analogue terrestrial transmissions will continue for a period after the national rollout of digital terrestrial television has begun. At a certain point analogue transmissions will be turned off and the full switchover will then be complete. While the pilot programme is under way, I intend to hold comprehensive discussions with all relevant stakeholders around the timing of analogue switch-off. Switch-off of analogue television services is being strongly advocated by the European Commission, with 2012 a target date suggested by the Commission. When decisions have been taken about the nature and timing of analogue switch-off, it will be necessary to ensure that Irish viewers are fully informed of all the issues arising, such as issues around reception equipment replacement. All stakeholders will have a role in informing viewers of the likely changes.