Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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441. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure the broadcasting of Dáil Éireann through the Oireachtas channel will include subtitles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31454/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has statutory responsibility in this area and I have no function in this matter. Under Section 43 (1)(c)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Authority must prepare and, from time to time, revise rules with respect to the specific steps each broadcaster is required to take to promote the understanding and enjoyment by those who are deaf or have a hearing or visual impairment of programmes transmitted on any broadcast service provided by the broadcaster.

The Access Rules include provisions for subtitling, captioning, Irish sign language and audio descriptions. The provision of subtitling is then a matter for individual broadcasters in accordance with the Access Rules, with which all broadcasters within the jurisdiction of Ireland must comply. In the case of the Oireachtas Channel, it is understood that this would be a matter for the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Houses of the Oireachtas Communications Unit. Compliance in relation to the access rules would be monitored by the BAI.

The BAI advises that complaints regarding subtitling are directed in the first place to the relevant broadcaster if one is dissatisfied with the manner in which a broadcaster is complying with the Rules. Information on such issues is obtainable from the BAI and from its website .

On 26 May 2014, the BAI launched a public consultation on proposed changes to rules governing the levels of subtitling, sign language and audio-description that Irish television broadcasters must offer to the public. The consultation will remain open until 23 July and the BAI is seeking responses from the general public, representative groups and broadcasters. The new rules will update the current Access Rules in place since 2005 and last reviewed in 2012.