Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012
729 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on reports of a possible ending of the longwave RTE radio service; if he has been briefed by RTE on this matter; his views on whether it will have a negative effect on, for example, some emigrant communities in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17699/12]
View answerRTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in Section 114 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
Section 98 provides that the company shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act, and as such I, as Minister, have no function in the management of RTÉ's day to day affairs, including decisions on how and on which platforms it wishes to transmit its radio service.
730 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Community Media Forum Europe and AMARC Europe the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters have made a submission to European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Ms Neelie Kroes in terms of the concerns of community radio broadcasters in the context of the adoption of a single standard in digital radio; if the concerns of community radio broadcasters here are being addressed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17700/12]
View answer731 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the adoption of the DAB digital radio system in terms of the cost of its rollout; the new infrastructure needed and its advantages in comparison with other systems such as DRM; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17701/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 730 and 731 together.
The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the development of digital radio in Ireland.
This Act provides RTÉ with the role of establishing and operating a multiplex for the purposes of providing a digital sound broadcasting service. It gives the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) responsibility for licensing spectrum in respect of digital sound broadcasting services and the primary responsibility for ensuring the development of commercial and community digital radio services rests with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).
In relation to RTÉ, I can confirm that the public service broadcaster has already put in place the necessary infrastructure for the provision of digital sound broadcasting services and has been operating a DAB radio multiplex since 2010. RTÉ currently provides a range of digital radio services by means of this network, comprising RTÉ 1, 2fm, Lyric FM, Raidió na Gaeltachta, RTÉ Gold, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Choice, RTÉ Junior (which becomes RTÉ Chill at night time), RTÉ Pulse, and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra (which carries the Longwave content).
In terms of the broader development of digital radio in Ireland, the BAI Strategy Statement for 2011-2013 offers an outline of what will be achieved by the BAI, taking into account its specific objectives, together with a range of other duties set out in the Broadcasting Act and in its broader work schedule.
In this regard, I can confirm that the BAI has included an objective to examine the desirability or, and potential for, digital sound broadcasting and it is anticipated that a programme of work in this regard will be considered in 2013.
In regard to the concerns of the community radio sector, the Deputy should be aware that section 26(3) of the Act imposes a direct obligation on the BAI to consider the needs of community broadcasters in respect of digital broadcasting and I am confident that the Authority will meet its obligations in this regard when undertaking the programme of work identified in its Strategy.
