David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 173 of 12 October 2005 if the digital terrestrial pilot programme has been implemented by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2171/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Procurement for the digital terrestrial television, DTT, pilot is well under way, with key tenders at the final evaluation stage. There are a number of stages to the pilot. The procurement processes that are under way relate to the multiplex and transmission aspects of the pilot, essentially the construction of the necessary digital terrestrial television infrastructure. I expect that agreements will be in place on foot of these procurement processes in the coming months and that the infrastructure will be rolled out in the first half of 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 will continue for up to two years.

The pilot will contribute to generating greater awareness and engagement among the various stakeholders in relation to the development of plans for a national rollout of DTT. During the course of the pilot I will continue to consult with interested stakeholders and I look to the Irish broadcasting sector to play an active role in the development of proposals for a national rollout of DTT.