Vol. 568 No. 2
59 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the BBC's decision to opt for the Freesat unencrypted satellite transmission platform, the resulting grave concerns of Irish broadcasters and the likely impact of this development on the proposed Irish digital terrestrial television platform; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As the Minister said in reply to Question No. 186 of 29 May 2003, he is considering the implications from a range of perspectives of the BBC's decision to offer its service on unencrypted satellite. The BBC's decision, especially if other UK terrestrial broadcasters follow suit, has implications for Irish television audiences, Irish broadcasters and for those who sell television services in the Irish market. The decision will also have implications for any new proposals for the roll-out of DTT services in Ireland.
The Minister is at present exploring options for the introduction of DTT in Ireland. When deciding how to proceed I will take account of the recent experience in the UK following the launch of the free view DTT service. He will also take account of the decision of the BBC to offer its services on unencrypted satellite.
The BBC's decision should be seen in the context of an industry which is undergoing major structural change as a result of advances in technology. It has long been recognised that advances in digital technology would increase the number of channels available to viewers and introduce more competition in the broadcasting distribution sector. Viewers will continue to be offered more choice in terms of television programmes services and how they receive those services.
Since the BBC announced its decision to go "in the clear" on satellite the Minister has had discussions with representatives of the industry in Ireland on its implications. He will shortly meet representatives of both the broadcasters and platform operators to give them a further opportunity to outline their concerns and to listen to their view on what action, if any, should be taken.
I am delighted the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, is here. I proposed to the Taoiseach this morning that the Minister of State be promoted to senior Minister because—
I thank the Deputy.
—he always takes questions and reports in this House. The Estimates were taken yesterday and he stuck it out for three hours. The Minister was only there for one hour. I know the Minister is on serious business this afternoon but, nonetheless, it is regrettable that all the legislation in this portfolio has been taken by the Minister of State. Why should he not be in the Cabinet?
Does this decision by Greg Dyke and the BBC not place RTE in the worst catch-22 situation it could possibly find itself and facing the worst crisis in its history? Does the Minister of State accept that when the BBC's eight channels go on the free Astra service, the footprint of which includes this island and the island of Britain, it will be possible for any subscriber here to have all those British channels and, most likely, ITV, other British channels and up to 100 international channels free of charge following a once-off payment of perhaps €300? RTE will, therefore, be in a catch-22 situation. Will it go on the Astra service itself along with the BBC? RTE will not be in the number one slot which BBC England will almost certainly occupy. Even BBC Scotland, BBC Wales and BBC Northern Ireland are concerned about that. If it goes on the Astra service, what happens to its programme rights? Effectively, somebody in northern England or in Edinburgh will be able to view any American series free of charge? Will RTE then not have to pay up to ten times the price it now pays for viewing rights? Is RTE not behind the eight ball?
Is the Minister, who is not here again today, not lethargic in not immediately going to see the Culture Secretary or whoever is responsible in the UK Government to try to thrash this out? I urge the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to take this issue seriously, which he has not done so far, and to meet RTE and TV3 executives and those at the highest levels of the British Government to see if we can ensure public service broadcasting in this country is protected. Is it not a disastrous situation?
We share the Deputy's concerns. Obviously, there are a number of potential negative impacts on RTE and TV3 – for example, Irish viewers may choose the Freesat option and not switch back to RTE or TV3, UK terrestrial broadcasters may acquire rights for Irish markets and loss of audience share will result in fall of income. Of course, there are serious implications for RTE. The Minister has had meetings with RTE and TV3 to hear their views on the BBC move.
Has he had meetings with the BBC?
The matter was also discussed at a recent meeting with Chorus. IBEC has requested a meeting on behalf of its cable and industry broadcasting group and that meeting will be arranged shortly. The Minister decided to initiate discussions with the industry to get its views on how to move forward. The difficulty is that the Television Without Frontiers Directive is designed to encourage the free transmission of television broadcast from one member state to another subject to minimum standards in relation to advertising, sponsorship and the protection of minors. The only situation in which a member state can seek the suspension of a television service is in the case of repeated breaches of provisions relating to the protection of minors. Under the current regulatory regime, Ireland cannot stop, or seek to stop, the BBC from broadcasting on unencrypted satellite services.
I share the Deputy's view, as does the Minister, that it is a difficulty which must be addressed. The Minister is addressing it in conjunction with the industry and I hope a conclusion will be arrived at. It is important that the views of the industry are ascertained as quickly as possible. I do not think I will be taking over the Minister's job. The Minister is trying to see if he can resolve the difficulties with the Irish Box and that is why he is not here. He is certainly on top of this situation and has already initiated meetings. There will be meetings in the coming weeks to try to resolve this issue.
I refer to an issue the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, did not address. In one of his many press releases, the Minister promised that we would have our own digital terrestrial platform with up to 35 channels with the four Irish stations and that this would be a key development in relation to the peace process and cultural interaction on this island. What has happened to all those wonderful press releases about our own digital terrestrial platform? Is there any possibility we will have one following this amazing development?
I do not think the Minister issues press releases for the sake of it. He is committed—
He is nearly as good at issuing press releases as the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan.
—to the area about which the Deputy spoke. As in other areas in which he has made promises, I am sure he will deliver on this issue as well.
