Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the pull out of a company (details supplied) will affect the roll out of national digital terrestrial television; if the other original bidders are in a position to roll out DTT; if the target date is still viable for the switch off of the analogue television signal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16228/09]

Eamon 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 establishment of a free to air DTT service to replace the existing analogue terrestrial services offered by RTE, TG4 and TV3. The Act also provides for the development of commercial DTT services, which are anticipated to provide further choice to those who wish to avail of channels additional to the Irish free to air channels.

The Act proposes that RTE operate a single public service multiplex which provides access to the free to air Irish TV channels and that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) will offer licences for three commercial multiplexes. RTE has already significantly progressed the roll-out of the public service multiplex and has indicated that services can be launched on a phased basis starting in autumn this year.

On 21 July 2008 the BCI announced its intention to enter into contract negotiations with Boxer DTT Ltd for the award of the three national commercial DTT multiplexes. On 20 April 2009 the BCI announced that Boxer DTT Ltd had withdrawn from contract negotiations.

The BCI has indicated that it has now approached the One Vision consortia with a view to entering into contract negotiations for the award of the three national commercial DTT multiplexes. The BCI have confirmed that they are committed to pursuing the development of DTT services in Ireland and will continue their work in that regard. I should emphasise that the BCI is an independent body and that I have no role in their licensing process.

I am cognisant of the fact that most European countries expect to switch off analogue services by 2012 and I remain committed to this target so that Ireland can continue to compete at an international level in the broadcasting and broader communications markets. Both RTE and the BCI are also aware of the importance of meeting this deadline.