Vol. 497 No. 4
133 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will ensure that all broadcasting distribution systems either through cable, MMDS or free to air services allocate primacy of position for all indigenous broadcasters including RTE, TV3 and Teilifís na Gaeilge; and if insistence, even through statutory instruments, will be insisted upon for an Irish EPG in the context of digitalised channels and transmission systems. [25234/98]
I have no function in the regulation of cable and MMDS systems which is a matter for the office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation. The expanded role envisaged for the Independent Radio and Television Commission under my broadcasting legislative proposals which are currently being drafted into a Bill includes a function to set guidelines for electronic programme guides. The primary purpose of this provision, when enacted, will be to ensure ready access to indigenous broadcasting services.
