Written answers
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Telecommunications Services
9:00 pm
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify a matter regarding SaorView (details supplied). [28592/12]
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.
That said, I have made enquiries and can now provide the following information. SAORSAT has been developed by RTÉ to cater for persons who cannot access SAORVIEW. As a result, Irish free-to-air channels will be available in 100% of the country for the first time.
The carriage of TG4 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 is available on SAORSAT since the middle of May.
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