Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on providing a channel dedicated to the democratic discussions in Dáil Éireann and making it available on terrestrial television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28965/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Section 28(2)(b) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001 mandates RTÉ to provide programmes of news and current affairs in the Irish and English languages, including programmes that provide coverage of proceedings in the Houses of the Oireachtas and the European Parliament. In addition section 45(4) of the Broadcasting Act 2001 mandates TG4 to provide programmes, primarily in the Irish language, of news and current affairs, and to provide coverage of proceedings in the Houses of the Oireachtas and the European Parliament.

Both RTÉ and TG4 devote resources and efforts, within the constraints of their programming schedules, to coverage and commentary of the proceedings of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I would agree that there is a need for direct public access to live proceedings of both Houses and to the work carried out by committees of the Oireachtas. In line with the commitments set down in the Programme for Government, and in the light of the opportunities offered by the introduction of digital terrestrial television, I propose to work with the Houses of the Oireachtas, and in particular with the Joint Administration Committee, to explore the possibilities for the introduction of programming carrying live broadcasts of Oireachtas business.