Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects the availability of radio and television broadcasting to expand and develop overseas, having particular regard to the needs of the Irish emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13841/06]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress made on his commitment to the provision of RTE programming for the Irish community in Britain under the heads of the Broadcasting Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13782/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 27 together.

As the Deputy may already be aware, there are no specific legislative impediments to commercial broadcasters which wish to broadcast to the Irish community in Britain, or elsewhere in the European Union, on a purely commercial basis.

As regards public service broadcasting, RTE's statutory mandate, as defined in section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001, provides that RTE's radio and television services shall be made available, in so far as is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland. As such, RTE's statutory mandate does not extend to the provision of radio or television services to Irish communities living in Britain or elsewhere. As a consequence, RTE may not use the proceeds of the television licence fee to provide such services. However, it should be noted that many people living outside the island of Ireland already enjoy access to a considerable quantity of RTE's television programming by way of the Internet and to RTE's radio services by way of satellite, LW and MW and the Internet.

In the light of the recommendations of the task force on emigration, the issue of amending RTE's public service remit to include the provision of television services to Irish communities in Britain is currently being considered in the context of development of the legislative proposals that will form the basis of the proposed Broadcasting Bill. It is anticipated that these legislative proposal will be published in the coming months.

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The television without frontiers directive provides that member states of the European Union may designate certain sporting and cultural events as being of major importance to society and that events so designated should continue to be available on a free television service. It is a matter for each individual member state to decide whether or not to draw up a list.

The Department recently completed a report on the review of designated events undertaken pursuant to section 9 of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Act 2003. Following a detailed consideration of all the circumstances, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has decided to continue with the designation of all of the events on the list of events designated in 2003 and not to add any additional events to that list.