Vol. 492 No. 6
8 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when she proposes to respond to the proposal by RTE for the introduction of broadcasting led digitalisation; her views on this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14528/98]
I refer the Deputy to my response to Questions Nos. 72 and 78 on 7 May 1998. As I indicated in that reply, I am formulating proposals for broadcasting legislation which will address the question of digital broadcasting and I will bring my proposals to Government this month. I recently circulated a draft memorandum for Government on the matter.
I am grateful for the Minister's views on digitalisation, but the question asks about the reply to RTE. The memorandum was circulated and legislation will be introduced late in the year. The Minister said she would bring her proposals to Government in June. When will she reply to RTE's submission?
The RTE submission will be very important in summing up our proposals and has been a great help to me in formulating my policy. That will be one of the many issues that will be discussed by Government. As soon as the decisions are taken in June by the Government, RTE will be advised by me on the matter.
The difficulty is that RTE has made a comprehensive submission to the Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language, of which Deputy Donal Carey is Chairman. The Minister said that as soon as the Government makes its decision in June, she will contact RTE. When will we know the status of RTE's proposal? Will it be when the legislation is published at the end of the year? Will we not know until then whether RTE should prepare its options for digitalisation?
As the Deputy said, the broadcasting legislation will be published at the end of the year. The proposals will go to Government this month and RTE will then be advised on the Government's position. In doing so, they will be made public. It will not just be a question of telling one or two players who are particularly interested. The policy will be published, so the Deputy will know its status, and the legislation will follow in the normal way.
I am grateful to the Minister for that welcome reply. When the Minister is communicating with RTE, will she be able to clarify whether it is entitled to indexation of the licence fee, which was a decision made by the previous Government, given that it will need resources for digitalisation?
As the Deputy said, the previous Government agreed with indexation of the licence fee. However, that is not my position and I made that clear in Opposition and in Government. I am sure digitalisation will be discussed inside and outside this House. It is important legislation because broadcasting plays an important part in our lives. We must ensure we are the vanguard of change as regards new technologies. I look forward to further debates not only with those in RTE but with others, such as the Deputy, who have a particular interest in and commitment to broadcasting. To become involved in a discussion on the details of indexation of the licence fee at this stage would, perhaps, distract from the main principles which have yet to be decided.
Perhaps the Minister could clarify the status of the Government decision. I may be wrong but my understanding is that if a Government decision is taken, it stands unless it is rescinded. It is not open to succeeding Governments to interpret it as not being made. I will be happy if the Minister agrees to send me clarification of the position.
There was a reference to this matter during yesterday's discussion of the Estimates at the Select Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language. I bow to the Deputy's experience in this because he was Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht and he knows more about the procedures and protocols of Government than I. I will examine this matter and I will be happy to advise the Deputy.
I am sure Deputy Michael Higgins is looking forward to his next time in Government.
Arising from the comprehensive and practical proposals submitted by RTE, has the Minister considered RTE's proposals for a strategic partner and its estimate of costings for digital television and are her views included in the memo she circulated to Government?
I have a considered view and it is part of the memorandum to Government.
