Written answers

Thursday, 15 November 2007

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Broadcasting Services

5:00 pm

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding digital terrestrial television; his views on whether Ireland will be ready for the switch over by 2012; if he will report on the pilot schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28976/07]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Broadcasting (Amendment) Act, 2007 puts in place a flexible framework for the licensing of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) into the future. The Act 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. Under the Act, RTE, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) and Communications Regulation (ComReg) have obligations to provide for the roll-out of DTT. Each of their roles is critical to ensuring the success of DTT in Ireland.

In order for Ireland to benefit fully from the switch to Digital Terrestrial TV, a switch-off of analogue television services is necessary. Ireland has indicated that this switch off will take place by 2012, in line with other European Countries and the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act, 2007 has provided a mechanism to ensure this date is met. During 2008, RTE will start to build a network to provide a DTT multiplex capable of carrying RTE 1, RTE 2, TV3 and TG 4. The BCI will be launching a competition for up to three additional DTT multiplexes early in 2008. My Department will monitor progress of DTT roll-out and will hold discussions with all relevant stakeholders around the issue of digital switch over.

When decisions have been taken about the nature and timing of analogue switch over, it will be necessary to ensure that Irish viewers are fully informed of all the issues arising. The Digital Terrestrial Television trial is being operated by my Department. The trial operates from 2 transmission sites in Dublin and Louth. There are 500 public participants on the trial who have access to 16 TV channels, 14 radio channels and a HD test channel. The trial is planned to continue until August 2008 and will provide the opportunity for further technical and user testing of both existing and new broadcast services, including digitext and audio description.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the time-line for the publication of the Deloitte and Touche and William Fry report on the future of TG4; the way he envisages TG4 will be financed in the long term; the arrangements for the independence of TG4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28962/07]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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TG4 became an independent statutory body on 1 April last. It will continue to receive public funds to finance its operations, along with the income that it generates from its commercial operations. In 2007, some €32 million of Exchequer funding for TG4 is being provided from my Department's Vote. The Deloitte & Touche/William Fry Solicitors "Report on the Preparation of a Implementation Plan for the Establishment of TnaG as an Independent Statutory Body" (dated 30 November 2005) is available on the Broadcasting section of my Department's website at www.dcenr.ie. The published report excludes some commercially sensitive information.

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