Written answers

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Broadcasting Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Emmet StaggEmmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has directed RTÉ to proceed with broadcasting in Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9840/09]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Section 3(1) (b) of the Broadcasting Act 2007 requires RTÉ to establish and maintain a television broadcasting service and a sound broadcasting service, which services shall be made available, insofar as the RTÉ Authority considers reasonably practicable, to Irish communities outside of the island of Ireland. Section 14 of the 2007 Act amends section 28(8) of the 2001 Act to allow RTÉ to use public funds drawn from television licence fee income for the purposes of providing the new television service. Section 14 also amends subsection (10) of section 28 to require the RTÉ Authority to report to the Minister on its use of public funding for such a purpose.

RTÉ has committed to rolling out an International television service on the UK Freesat network. This international television service is expected to show Irish TV programming for which they own the copyright. RTÉ has indicated that it has contracted with Freesat for space on the platform. RTÉ had initially expected that this service would launch at the end of 2008.

In September 2008 my Department was informed by RTÉ that, due to the rapidly worsening economic conditions and falling advertising revenue, they would need to postpone the launch of the RTÉ International television service by a year. I understand this is one of a number of measures taken by RTÉ in the current economic climate. My Department has written to RTÉ expressing disappointment at the decision while acknowledging the current economic climate. RTÉ has highlighted that this decision may be reviewed if circumstances change significantly in the course of the year.

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