asked the Minister for Communications if he will confirm the total cost of the project for the development of direct satellite broadcasting and the Government share in this development; and if he has entered into discussions with any other Government to launch a joint venture.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Satellite Broadcasting.
25.
It is not possible to say at this stage what the cost of the project will be as it will depend on a variety of factors which have yet to be determined such as the configuration of the satellite network, the number of satellites to be launched, insurance costs etc. It is clearly a several hundred million pound project. Likewise, the Government share in the project has not yet been finalised and negotiations on this matter are continuing.
Apart from informal discussions with my counterparts in the Spanish and Portuguese Governments, the answer to the last part of the question is no.
The answer in relation to the total cost should be given by the Minister at this stage. Would he inform the House if he has signed the contract with the Atlantic Satellite Company for the launching of the direct broadcasting satellite? In relation to the other part of the question, has he entered into discussions with the British Government on a possible joint venture launching under the umbrella of the Atlantic Satellite Company, Stafford's company.
I cannot give a cost for a project the details of which are not yet known and which are still being discussed. We have not given a contract to the Atlantic Satellite Company. We have entered into a commitment to seek to negotiate a contract and those negotiations are going on at the moment. I personally have had no discussions with the British Government. It would be fair to say that there has been an exchange of views at official level between officials of the British Department of Trade and Industry and other relevant Departments and on our part the officials of my Department. There has just been an exchange of views, no proposal, no negotiations, no suggestions.
Would the Minister inform the House when he expects to sign the final contract for the allocation of the franchise to the Atlantic Satellite Company and also would he be favourably disposed towards the launching of a European satellite, a European rocket or an American rocket? Will he get involved in the details of the actual launching programme?
Remember Heseltine. Walk carefully. You tread on ashes under which fires are concealed.
Far be it from me to say that I am a better survivor than Mr. Heseltine.
Cheers for Ballyfermot.
That is true all right. Was it close? Would the Minister tell us the details?
I have forgotten the first part of the question, but in relation to whether we will use European or American equipment, in the final analysis, that will be for the contractees to decide. We will start off with a very strong prejudice in favour of a European satellite, all other things being equal. Of course, if the American offer was a better one—and that is a derisory thought— we would have to take it. I hope that the European proposal, if and when it arrives, will be the better one.
On the other part of the question, when does the Minister expect to sign the contract with the Atlantic Satellite Company for the granting of the franchise to them which is now ready?
Signing of the contract very much depends on the successful negotiation of a satisfactory agreement. We are not committed to signing a contract under any circumstances. I want to see what emerges from the negotiations which are going on. I would be hopeful that those discussions could be concluded, so that a decision could be taken within a few months.