Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options for the development of the radio and television industry with particular reference to terrestrial broadcasting and the changing and growing needs of the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26723/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My core policy objectives for the development of the broadcasting sector are detailed in my Department's Statement of Strategy, 2005-2007. These objectives are: to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTE; to secure a viable future for high quality public service broadcasting; to seek to retain access to a range of high quality programming in analogue and digital form on a universal and free-to-air basis.

My key priorities for achieving these objectives include the following: developing the regulatory framework by bringing forward a Bill to provide for the establishment of a single content regulator for both public and private broadcasters and restructuring RTE from a corporate point of view; ensuring adequate public funding for RTE and TG4 so that they can deliver on their statutory mandate; building on progress made in maximising the effectiveness of television licence fee collection; facilitating the successful establishment of a Digital Terrestrial Television platform on a pilot basis in 2006.

I am of the opinion that Irish viewers will be best served by a broadcasting environment that includes a strong public service broadcasting presence together with private broadcasters.