Vol. 567 No. 7
137 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with authorities in Northern Ireland the proposed wider availability of TG4 in Northern Ireland; if so, the response he has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10841/03]
I have raised this matter with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on a number of occasions, including most recently at the meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London on 20 May.
In the Joint Declaration published on 1 May 2003, the Irish and British Governments reaffirmed their commitment to work with the relevant regulators and broadcasting authorities to address the technical and other barriers with a view to increasing substantially the reception of TG4 in Northern Ireland. These barriers relate to issues of broadcasting rights in another jurisdiction, spectrum availability and financial issues.
Officials from my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and TG4 are actively pursuing these matters with their British counterparts. A meeting for this purpose was held in my Department on 22 May and further work will be taken forward over the next few weeks with a view to discharging the commitment outlined in the Good Friday Agreement and restated in the Joint Declaration.
Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 59.
Question No. 139 answered with Question No. 45
Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 35.
