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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 2

Written Answers. - Radio Broadcasting.

Willie Penrose

Question:

57 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the discussions she has had with the independent radio sector regarding the introduction of audio digital broadcasting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15331/00]

As I indicated in previous replies to similar questions, before consideration can be given to establishing digital audio broadcasting, DAB, in Ireland it will be necessary to develop a national policy for its introduction. This will require extensive consultation with all relevant organisations in the sound broadcasting sector.

Some preliminary work in this regard has been progressed by RTE through its programme of test transmissions and the establishment of an informal DAB Forum involving the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation, ODTR, the Independent Radio and Television Commission, Independent Radio and Television Commission, RTE, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, Today FM, the community radio sector and officials from my Department and the Department of Public Enterprise.

While my immediate broadcasting priority is the introduction of digital terrestrial television and the enactment of the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, I have invited the DAB forum to consider the issues involved and advise in respect of the broadcasting policy options for the successful introduction of DAB. In order to support the work of the forum I propose to fund and appoint a project manager for a six month period.

The duties of the manager will include researching and identifying elements which are critical to the project, eliciting areas of common interest to each of the broadcasting sectors, documenting and putting forward options for consideration by the forum and preparing, in consultation with forum members, a range of policy options on the introduction of DAB in Ireland. It is my intention that the project manager will be available to the forum in September 2000.

I am pleased to say that the forum at its meeting in early May welcomed this initiative. I look forward to hearing from the forum in due course.

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