Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the plans there are to offer the RTÉ television channels across other territories to enable persons from Ireland that have moved abroad to watch them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41906/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Section 114(1)(f) of The Broadcasting Act, 2009 requires RTÉ to establish and maintain a television broadcasting service and a sound broadcasting service, which services shall be made available, in so far as RTÉ considers reasonably practicable, to Irish communities outside the island of Ireland.

As the Deputy may be aware, in the present financial conditions, it is not possible for RTÉ to provide a Diaspora television channel. RTÉ has indicated that this decision was made as a result of the economic downturn, which has adversely affected RTÉ’s commercial service, and is part of a necessary cost saving exercise being undertaken by RTÉ. RTÉ has indicated that this decision may be reviewed if circumstances change significantly in the future.

RTÉ is already providing a service to the Irish Diaspora through the RTÉ Player, the international version launched in January 2010, which allows overseas viewing of RTÉ television without charge, subject to certain rights restrictions. RTÉ has informed me that worldwide audiences can now catch-up on RTÉ Television programmes for up to 21 days through an integrated online media player. The international version of the RTÉ Player carries a range of programmes and sports content that have been cleared for international audiences. In addition to the catch-up services, ‘News Now’, RTÉ’s 24-hour live and looped online news service, will be also available to global audiences

I understand that RTÉ always seeks to improve the international availability of its programmes and services where possible and a number of online services have been rolled out recently for worldwide audiences including the RTÉ Radio Player and the mobile RTÉ television and news apps.