Vol. 513 No. 2
140 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has met formally since her appointment with representatives of TG4 to discuss its future; if not, when she will meet with representatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2136/00]
Teilifís na Gaeilge has provided views on the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, which as the Deputy will be aware, provides enabling powers for the establishment of the service as a separate statutory entity. These views are being considered in my Department at present and a meeting will be arranged if it is considered necessary.
There will, of course, be a need for extensive discussions and consultation after the Bill is enacted on the detail of proceeding with and the timing of the establishment of Teilifís na Gaeilge as a separate entity.
My officials are in regular ongoing contact with the station.
141 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the allocation of two multiplexes for digital radio transmission in Ireland arising from the meeting in Wiesbaden, Germany; if she will confirm that these multiplexes will not be controlled by the proposed Digico company; the proposed controlling authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2137/00]
142 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on whether it is intended under the provisions of the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, that RTÉ radio transmission will be carried out by the proposed new digital transmission company, Digico; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that RTÉ has stated that it intends to begin digital radio transmission in 2000 and that the only means whereby it can transmit digital radio, when Digico is set up and has control and ownership over RTÉ's transmission infrastructure as is intended under the Bill, is through Digico; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2138/00]
143 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of multiplexes available to Ireland for digital transmission; the number of multiplexes which are intended for use by national radio; the number which are intended for use by independent local radio; the way in which multiplexes set aside for transmission of local radio will be guaranteed and regulated through legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2139/00]
150 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the unique and significant contribution made by independent local radio to communities and regional economics and to the development of radio; the way in which she will protect and support this contribution in the context of the advent of digital broadcasting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2146/00]
151 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on whether RTÉ and the independent radio and television broadcasters are deserving of equal treatment in relation to the provision and allocation of spectrum for digital transmission and in the vehicle whereby migration from analogue to digital transmission is facilitated, in particular under the Broadcasting Bill, 1999; the plans, if any, she has for the transfer to digital broadcasting for all radios; the timescale envisaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2147/00]
152 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the provision, if any, she has made to facilitate digital broadcasting by existing local independent radio stations in view of RTÉ's stated intention to migrate some or all of its radio services to digital by spring 2000 and recognising that more than 100 million people in Europe have access to digital radio transmissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2148/00]
153 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the significant investment required of independent local radio to migrate to broadcasting on the digital spectrum; her further views on the short length of time remaining on the majority of local radio licences as a significant impediment in securing the capital investment necessary to make this transition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2149/00]
154 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the legitimate concerns of the independent television and radio broadcasting sector in relation to the proposed 40% shareholding by RTÉ in the new digital transmission company, Digico; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2150/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 142, 143, 150, 151, 152, 153 and 154 together.
144 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has satisfied herself that her proposal to allocate up to 40% of the shareholding to RTÉ in the new digital transmission company, Digico, under the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, is appropriate considering the obligations in relation to competition under EU law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2140/00]
I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 304 of 23 November 1999.
As I said in my response, consultants have been selected to advise on all aspects of the transaction process including legal, regulatory and financial and to manage the process to a conclusion under the direction of the project management group established by Government to oversee the introduction of DTT.
