Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 1459: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the national television station RTE is not available for free view on Sky and the public have to pay a licence fee when funding is available through advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1899/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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RTÉ transmits on a free-to-air terrestrial platform and also makes its programmes available to cable and satellite operators. To avail of the services provided by these operators, a person must pay the service provider separately for these services. RTÉ currently has exclusive carriage contracts with SKY therefore their services are unavailable on any other satellite network.

Under the Broadcasting Authority Acts, 1960 to 2007, RTÉ is the national public service broadcaster and as such is required to provide a wide range of radio and television programmes to cater for the general public and minority interests, and to have regard to the culture of Ireland. Successive Governments have determined that advertising revenue alone would not be sufficient to enable RTÉ to meet its statutory obligations.