Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will permit TV3 and TG4 to be provided in the Saorsat package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21707/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The SAORSAT satellite service has been developed by RTÉ on its own initiative and is not a requirement under the Broadcasting Act 2009. As such, I, as Minister, have no function in this matter. As the Deputy may be aware the SAORSAT service has been developed by RTÉ to cater for persons who cannot access the new DTT transmission system. As a result, Irish free-to-air channels will be available in 100% of the country for the first time.

The carriage of TG4, TV3 or any other broadcaster on the SAORSAT service is a commercial decision for each of the broadcasters in question and the terms and conditions relating to such carriage would be a matter for commercial negotiation between RTÉ and the relevant broadcaster. I have been informed that TG4 plans to be available on SAORSAT and it is expected that this will happen shortly. It is my understanding that TV3 has not yet made a decision as to its carriage on the service.