Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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406. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects to meet any of the applicants who put forward an expression of interest in providing new TV channels through Saorview in 2011. [49388/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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At my request, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland undertook an Expressions of Interest process in 2011 in order to identify parties interested in providing new services on the SAORVIEW DTT network. Following completion of this process and subsequent engagement between my Department and the BAI, I wrote to the Authority in 2012 confirming my acceptance of its recommendations in regard to those channels that should be designated for carriage on SAORVIEW and requesting the Authority to contact the relevant applicants to confirm their continued interest in the matter. I am informed that, as a result of these contacts, it was confirmed to the Authority that none of the relevant applicants were in a position to proceed with their proposed new services at that time and the process has not advanced since then. In the meantime, UTV has recently announced the development of a new channel for the Irish market, with the intention that, subject to reaching the necessary commercial agreements, this service would be carried on as many platforms as possible, including DTT. In addition, I can confirm that, as part of its 2013 workplan, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is currently undertaking an analysis of the prospects for developing a commercial DTT offering and work on this is expected to be completed by year-end.