Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1532: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will list all of the applications he has received from RTE for the provision of new services; when the application was received; the decision made in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33160/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Section 103 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for both RTÉ and TG4 to vary the number of channels it operates subject to the consent of the Minister. This section also sets out the procedure that the Minister must adopt in making a decision on whether to consent to any new or additional channels. These procedures provide for the Minister to, inter alia, consult with RTÉ and other interested parties, consider the sectoral impact of the new services, following an assessment by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, and to consider the public value of these channels.

In relation to the development of additional channels, RTÉ has recently clarified that it wishes to develop a number of new TV service channels for carriage on the public service Digital Terrestrial Television multiplex. In accordance with section 103, I have commenced the required consultations with RTÉ and the Authority on the proposals and it is my intention to complete my consideration of this issue as soon as possible.