Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the situation in regard to the availability of digital television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13830/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Digital television is available in Ireland. Both cable-MMDS operators and satellite operators provide subscription digital television services. Free-to-air analogue television services are provided on a terrestrial basis. Over time it is expected that analogue terrestrial services will migrate to digital terrestrial services in most countries. This migration is happening on a significant scale in a number of European countries. The Minister has proposed that a digital terrestrial television pilot programme be developed in Ireland. This pilot is nearing the end of the procurement phase. 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. The Minister expects the pilot to become operational in autumn 2006.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if local loop unbundling has developed sufficiently and smoothly to the benefit of the consumer; the steps he intends to take or instructions he might give to the regulator or service providers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13836/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. Local loop unbundling is mandated by a European Council Regulation and responsibility for its implementation is a matter for the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the transposed EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services. Telecommunications legislation is being prepared in the Department, which will, inter alia, provide for greater enforcement powers for ComReg, including provisions for indictable offences for serious infringements of the regulatory framework and for continuing fines, where appropriate. These powers will give ComReg the necessary muscle to enforce regulatory decisions to support the development of competition in the market. I hope to publish the Bill shortly.