Broadcasting Service Provision

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Questions (513)

Gerry Adams

Question:

513. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some BT customers in Northern Ireland are unable to access RTÉ Player programmes, that there is an issue with dynamic IP addresses being provided from an address pool from Britain, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and for copyright reasons these customers are presented with the international version of the RTÉ player, that this is negatively impacting upon some BT customers in Northern Ireland; if he will consider allowing BT customers who prove they are resident in Northern Ireland access to the RTÉ Player; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27014/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

RTE is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009, and, as such, I, as Minister have no role in its day-to-day operations including in relation to controlling the access to content on the RTE Player outside the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland. Section 114(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 states that one of objects of RTE is to establish, maintain and operate a national television and sound broadcasting service which shall have the character of a public service, be free-to-air service and be made available, in so far as it is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland. Section 98 provides that it shall be independent of the pursuance of these objects.

That said, I have instructed my Officials to contact RTE in relation to the matter which the Deputy has raised regarding the access of content on RTE Player by BT Customers who are resident in Northern Ireland and I shall provide the Deputy with RTE's response when it has reverted to me.

Question No. 514 answered with Question No. 81.