Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 126: 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. [10567/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I am in favour of the establishment of a new Oireachtas channel which could provide for extended free-to-air television coverage of the proceedings which take place in the Houses of the Oireachtas and in other democratic fora. The programme for Government contains a commitment in this regard.

I have attended meetings with the Ceann Comhairle and the Joint Oireachtas Committee for the administration of the Houses where the details required for the establishment of such a channel were discussed. I believe that the establishment of a new Digital Terrestrial Television transmission system, which is being co-ordinated by my department, should provide for the Oireachtas channel, commencing in the second half of 2009. I believe the transmission and editing and production costs involved in such a channel are a matter for the Oireachtas commission in the first place.