Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if RTE is obliged in law to provide a television signal of reasonable quality to citizens who pay the television and radio licence. [25486/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001 requires RTÉ to provide a national television and sound broadcasting service free-to-air, insofar as it is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland. This is a function in which the Oireachtas has provided statutory responsibility to RTÉ and in which I have no role.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on difficulties faced by television owners in Roundwood, County Wicklow to receive a reception of Irish television channels while at the same time getting a reception from BBC Wales; if his attention has been drawn to other areas in the country that experience similar difficulties; the details of same; if he will provide an update for the publication of the Broadcasting Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25509/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Reception issues associated with terrestrial reception of the national broadcasting channels are a matter for RTÉ.

There is currently overspill of UK analogue TV broadcasts from Wales and Northern Ireland into Ireland. This overspill may be received in the South East of the country and along the border with Northern Ireland. This is expected to cease in the next few years as the UK switches off its analogue terrestrial network and progresses to a digital terrestrial television platform. This is a matter for the Government of the United Kingdom.

The draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in September 2006 for the purposes of public consultation under the eConsultation initiative. The Joint Oireachtas Committee published its conclusions on the draft general scheme in April 2007.

It is proposed to publish the consequent Broadcasting Bill in early 2008, having considered the Joint Oireachtas Committee's conclusions on the outcome of the eConsultation process, with a view to ensuring the appropriate regulatory structure for the growth and development of public service, commercial and community broadcasting in Ireland.