Written answers

Wednesday, 20 October 2010

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Broadcasting Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 56: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department will fund the public information campaign on the switch over to digital terrestrial television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37875/10]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 58: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he intends to sign an order to terminate analogue television transmission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37866/10]

Photo of Liz McManusLiz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 63: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he intends to proceed with digital terrestrial television here in view of the recent negotiations for the commercial DTT contracts; the way he will ensure that commercial DTT will proceed here by the 2012 deadline; the steps he is taking to ensure a public information campaign on this issue; the way it will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37773/10]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 58 and 63 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the BAI's commercial digital terrestrial television (DTT) process did not lead to the licensing of a commercial DTT operator. This result was disappointing and it is now expected that a commercial DTT operator will not materialise until sometime after analogue switch off in 2012. Further consideration of the potential for a commercial DTT service and of the most appropriate mechanisms for delivering this will not now be undertaken until after analogue switch off.

In the meantime, the clear responsibility of my Department, in conjunction with the RTÉ, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), ComReg and other stakeholders, is to progress the digital switch-over process so that it meets the 2012 timeline for analogue switch off.

Accordingly, I imposed, by order, a requirement on RTÉ to make its public service DTT multiplex available to 90% of the population from 31 October 2010.

This service will be provided by RTÉ as a trial service in advance of the full national launch in 2011. I believe that this RTÉ trial service is essential as it provides time for the DTT service to fully develop whilst also providing for TV viewers to adopt the new service at the earliest opportunity.

I have also developed a steering group, chaired by my Department and comprising members from RTÉ, BAI, ComReg and other stakeholders, in order to progress the digital switch-over process. An important element of the work of this group will be ensuring that information and advice on digital switch-over is available to TV viewers in a timely and cost-effective manner. I can confirm that the issue of funding for the information campaign for Analogue Switch-off is being considered in this context.

In accordance with Government policy, it is my intention to provide for the closure of Ireland's analogue television network by the end of 2012.

The process for providing for the closure of the analogue television network is covered by Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and section 13 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.

Section 139 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 deals with the issue of determining how long it would be appropriate for television broadcasting services to continue to be provided by analogue means. In coming to this determination, I am required to keep under review a range of issues, including the availability by digital means of RTÉ, TV3, and TG4.

I am also required to consider the ownership or possession in the State of equipment capable of receiving those digital services, as well as the likely future extent of availability, ownership or possession.

For the purposes of triggering the actual analogue switch off, section 13 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 requires that I must issue a policy direction regarding the date or dates with effect from which ComReg shall revoke the RTÉ, TG4 and TV3 analogue TV licences.

It is my intention that this will be done once I have fully satisfied myself that the range of issues mentioned earlier have been addressed.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 57: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the status of RTE's public service statement; when he will publish the public service statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37790/10]

Photo of P J SheehanP J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 59: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received an RTE public service statement; if he is satisfied with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37855/10]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 59 together.

Section 101(1) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 provides that RTÉ, following a public consultation, shall prepare not later than 12 July 2010 (12 months after the passing of the Act) a five-year public service statement setting out the principles to be observed and activities to be undertaken by it in order to fulfil its public service objectives.

RTÉ submitted its public service statement to me on 12 July 2010, in line with the requirements of the Act.

Section 101(3) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 requires me to consult with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) prior to my granting of consent to the public service statement. This consultation process has been initiated and I expect to receive the BAI's considered response shortly.

As soon as I have received this submission from the BAI, I will be in a position to finalise my review of RTÉ's public service statement. I will then proceed to considering the granting of consent or otherwise prior to laying the document before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.