Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which future broadcasting is expected to rely on multiplex technology; the extent to which such technology is expected to remain an integral part of broadcasting in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5447/07]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the breakdown of the main television platforms in households here including satellite, Irish terrestrial, cable, MMDS and multi-terrestrial; the percentage of digital households; if the remaining households with a television set will be affected by the turning off of the analogue signal; if he has made a decision on 2012 as the target deadline for switching off the analogue signal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5253/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 171 together.

The take up of broadcasting services in Ireland is as follows: an estimated 29% of Irish TV households receive free to air analogue services only; 31% of Irish TV households subscribe to satellite services; 22% of Irish TV households subscribe to analogue cable/MMDS services; and 18% of Irish TV households subscribe to digital cable/MMDS services. Almost 50% of Irish television households receive television in a digital format from either Sky Digital or from cable/MMDS companies such as ntl and Chorus.

In addition to the estimated 29% of TV households which receive free-to-air analogue only, up to 90% of households use analogue free-to-air terrestrial television on at least one television set. The future roll-out of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) will be particularly important for these households, given that the European Commission has proposed a switch-off date of 2012 for analogue television services across Europe. DTT roll-out will impact positively on these households, resulting in a greater choice of channels and services available free-to air, in addition to improved picture quality.

My Department is currently running a DTT Pilot project, which is expected to encourage stakeholder and public interest in DTT and to provide insight into the issues associated with the roll-out of a national DTT system and the potential impact on the analogue television network.

In tandem with the DTT Pilot, the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill recently published by my Department seeks to put in place a flexible framework for the licensing of DTT into the future. The Bill provides for the use of multiplexes by both public service and commercial broadcasters and for the transmission of both digital television services and digital sound broadcasting services.

In addition, the Bill provides a mechanism by which a date for future analogue switch-off can be considered, in light of the extent of DTT roll-out already achieved. In any digital switch-over, viewers need to receive appropriate information. Government as well as broadcasters will have a key role in informing all households of the changes required, including replacement of reception equipment, for successful switch-over from analogue to digital services.