Vol. 506 No. 5
204 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her Department will respond favourably to correspondence (details supplied) concerning the possibility of providing a limited local television service for the elderly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15775/99]
The letter from the person concerned, addressed to my Department, seeks my support for the establishment of a local television service. Under the Radio and Television Act, 1988, the Independent Radio and Television Commission is charged with arranging, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, for the provision of sound broadcasting services and one national television programme service additional to any provided by RTE. There is no statutory enabling power to facilitate the provision of additional television services.
Under the proposals contained in the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, which was recently published, the Independent Radio and Television Commission – which, when the Bill is enacted, will be renamed as the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland – will be given increased functions including the function of making arrangements for the provision of digital broadcasting services in the State additional to those provided by RTE and those which are already in existence under the provisions of the 1988 legislation.
The Bill provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, in performing the functions conferred on it by the Act, shall endeavour to ensure that the number and categories of broadcasting services made available in the State best serve the needs of the people of the State, bearing in mind their traditions and culture. It would be open to the person concerned to apply to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland for a broadcasting content contract under the terms of the Broadcasting Bill, 1999 when it is enacted. However, I would not be hopeful that the service proposed would be feasible as a broadcast service on any of the television delivery platforms envisaged in the digital era.
