Vol. 482 No. 2
49 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to develop digital broadcasting in Ireland; her views on the view that Ireland's digital broadcasting policy is currently being set by London; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17417/97]
52 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on RTE's request for the immediate implementation of a national policy for digital broadcasting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17416/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 52 together.
My Department has been following international developments relating to the introduction of terrestrial and satellite digital broadcasting with particular reference to the implications of its introduction on Irish broadcasters and on audiences here. I should say that there are conflicting international opinions regarding the relative merits of either terrestrial or satellite digital broadcasting and the impact of the introduction of either form of digital broadcasting in this and other countries is far from clear. It will be important to develop a policy on the introduction of such services here which is specifically tailored to broadcasting in Ireland. I recently had an informal discussion with the chairman of RTE during the course of which he indicated that RTE would be making a submission to my Department on digital broadcasting in the immediate future. I am confident the RTE proposals will be of significant assistance to me in developing a national policy in this area which I regard as a priority.
