Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which radio and television programmes here are being made available throughout the island; if he has examined the prospect for a higher degree of transmission to other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26542/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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There are no specific legislative impediments to commercial broadcasters who 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, RTÉ's statutory mandate, as defined in section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001, provides that RTÉ'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 RTÉ'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 RTÉ may not use the proceeds of the television licence fee to provide such services. However, it should be noted that many people living outside of the Island of Ireland already enjoy access to a considerable quantity of RTÉ's television programming by way of the Internet, and to RTÉ'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 RTÉ'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 shortly.