Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there will be a national roll out of high definition television in view of the fact that many operators in the market here are not offering this key service; the availability and penetration of HDTV in the communications sector here; the way this compares with other EU and OECD states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12867/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007 provides for the national rollout of digital terrestrial services in Ireland. In this regard, RTE is tasked with providing a digital service with space for RTE, TG4 and TV3. Digital television can offer more in comparison with analogue services including high definition television (HDTV) and this is supported in the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act, 2007.

The development of HDTV services in Ireland is ultimately a matter for the broadcasters as they will need to upgrade their studio equipment as well as their transmission network. RTE, TG4 and TV3 have all expressed an interest in developing HDTV services, in the future. In relation to the availability of HDTV services the range of content available at a European level is still quite limited as broadcasters move towards developing more HDTV programmes.