Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 March 2010
76 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the establishment of a television channel dedicated to the proceedings of the Houses of the Oireachtas as outlined in the Programme for Government 2007; when it is proposed to be on air; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10091/10]
View answerPart 7, Chapter 6 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the development of an Oireachtas Channel. Part 8 of the Act provides for a right of carriage on the RTÉ digital terrestrial television multiplex in respect of this channel.
The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas may establish a public service channel to be made available throughout the island of Ireland providing coverage of:
proceedings of both Houses of the Oireachtas;
proceedings of a local authority;
institutions under the British-Irish Agreement;
other legislatures; and
UN, EU and Council of Europe institutions.
The 2009 Act provides that the cost of such a channel would be met from the budget of the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas and that no advertising is permitted on the channel. I hope that the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas will now be able to make the necessary resources available to progress the channel in conjunction with the roll out of the new digital terrestrial television services.
