As I have stated in replies to previous questions on this matter, a Bill is being drafted that will provide for a statutory regime to facilitate the early introduction in Ireland of digital broadcasting services, in particular digital terrestrial television. The draft text of the Bill is at a very advanced stage of preparation. I had hoped to be in a position to have the text of the Bill published before the end of March. However the matters to be addressed in the legislation are complex and, accordingly, finalising the details of the draft Bill with the Attorney General's office is a difficult and time consuming process. At this stage I believe that an April publication date is more likely.
An inter-departmental project management group, chaired by my Department, was established to oversee the selection of a partner for RTE to form the commercial entity which will be responsible for the provision of terrestrial transmission and technical facilities to existing broadcasters and to broadcasters in the new digital era. I recently announced that a consortium headed by AIB Corporate Finance has been selected by public competition to act as advisers to my Department on the establishment of the entity. The consultants have already begun their task. I understand RTE is proceeding with the identification of the assets and other contractual relationships it considers would be appropriate to transfer to the new entity. I hope the new entity will be established and that negotiations with a suitable prospective partner or partners will be concluded within a six to eight month period.
I hope DTT services will be available in the middle or latter half of next year.