Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is 100% coverage for Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9981/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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RTÉ has built, owns and controls the Saorview TV network and is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of that network. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides that the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ.

Section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 Act provides that RTÉ must roll out a national digital TV network to the same extent as its existing analogue network. In regard to SAORVIEW, as with the analogue terrestrial TV network that it replaces, the new national digital terrestrial TV service is operated by RTÉ and which provides access to the national Irish TV channels on a non-subscription basis i.e. free to air covers 98% of the population. 100% coverage is not possible on a terrestrial network.

In addition to Saorview, RTÉ has developed SAORSAT, a new free-to-air satellite service unique to Ireland to ensure the free to air RTÉ television services are available to 100% of the population. This is the first time free to air Irish TV is available to 100% of the population. RTÉ is not obliged to provide this satellite service and is doing so on its own initiative.