Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to incidences in County Donegal whereby RTE teletext is not available without a Saorview box, which is contrary to what is being communicated through public information adverts which state that a set-top box is not required if a household has access to SKY television or UPC; if he will clarify whether or not RTÉ Teletext is available without a Saorview box; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44632/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In relation to the availability of the Aertel teletext service, RTÉ must agree terms with individual network operators for retransmission of this service.

In relation to these services on UPC, I have been informed that RTÉ and UPC have agreed terms and are working together to make the Aertel teletext service available across all UPC digital customers. It is hoped the service will be ready to go live in November 2012.

In relation to UPC’s analogue customers (who are unaffected by the digital switchover), RTÉ will continue to make its analogue Aertel service available.

In relation to SKY, I have been informed by SKY Ireland that SKY has not carried the RTÉ teletext (analogue) service since RTÉ joined the platform in 2002. According to RTÉ, terms have not been agreed with SKY in regard of broadcast of Aertel Digital.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Saorview box (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44649/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

RTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL), a wholly owned subsidiary of RTÉ, developed the technical specification for SAORVIEW set top boxes and put in place the approvals process for such equipment to be classified as ‘SAORVIEW approved’.

The cost of SAORVIEW set top boxes, like any other television equipment, is a matter for manufacturers, suppliers and retailers and not a process in which I, as Minister have a legislative function.

In comparing costs of set top boxes with those in Belfast, it must be understood that the UK is using a different, older technology than SAORVIEW. A more direct comparison to a SAORVIEW set top box is a Freeview High Definition (HD) box, which retails from €70.