Vol. 492 No. 6
5 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Kenny den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán cad iad na dualgais speisialta atá aici i leith Seirbhíse Digití Teilifíse Domhanda ag éirí as Ceist Uimh 41, an 3 Meitheamh, 1998, (tag 10910/98) agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina leith. [14696/98]
I would direct the Deputy to my answer to Questions Nos. 17 and 19 on 11 March.
In that reply I indicated that it is my responsibility to develop appropriate structures to oversee the introduction and ongoing regulation, from a broadcasting perspective, of Irish digital broadcasting services. As is clear from that reply, and the reply of the Minister for Public Enterprise to which the Deputy refers, there are a number of matters relating to delivery platforms, radio frequency management matters and technical issues which will fall to be handled by that Minister and the Director of Telecommunications Regulation. As indicated in the earlier replies, consultation is envisaged and I have recently circulated a draft memorandum for Government proposing new broadcasting legislation which addresses digital broadcasting for observations of other Ministers, including the Minister for Public Enterprise.
An bhfuil a haigne déanta suas aici féin faoin chóras a thabharfar isteach. Is dócha go ndearna sí scrúdú ar an gcóras digiteach satailít, an córas digiteach MMDS, an córas digiteach cábla agus an córas digiteach domhanda nó terrestrial. An bhfuil sí in ann leis an réimeas atá aici, cinneadh a dhéanamh faoi seo í féin? An gá duit deileáil lena do comhleacaí, an tAire Seirbhísí Poiblí? Agus an bhfuil cinneadh déanta aici sa Bhille atá curtha timpeall agat maidir leis an chóras a thabharfar isteach agus an féidir leithi é sin a insint dom ag an bpointe seo?
I have a feeling of déja vu because we discussed these issues during Question Time previously. There are a number of approaches to the delivery of such a service. The DTT is believed to be the best possible approach and that is the approach we will be adopting. It is the approach that is very much favoured by RTE, an organisation that it has tremendous experience in this regard.
There was concern among some European countries that we were not rushing to digitalisation quickly enough. It is important to address this issue as a matter of urgency but it is also important to examine the experiences of others. Our nearest neighbour, Britain, has already started work in this regard. As an English speaking country it is important that we would not be swamped by other cultures and that we have our own provisions in terms of the cultural content of programming. Obviously that can be best done by those who are part of that indigenous industry.
With regard to the difficulties being faced, all of us recognise there are certain risks involved in any new approach. Nobody knows what will be the outcome of DDT. Given all of the considerations it is the best approach at this time and that is the reason we intend to take on the DDT model rather than the satellites and other approaches mentioned by the Deputy.
Arising from the Minister's reply, it is interesting to note that Princess Holdings did not appear before the Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language to give its view on why the digital MMDS system should be introduced here. I am glad the Minister has made a decision. She has announced that the digital terrestrial system will be introduced throughout the country. Given that Cable Management Services is due to introduce digital facilities here in the autumn, will the Minister indicate whether the licences currently given to cable operators provide for the set top boxes which are necessary for the provision of that system? Will that take into account the exposure of TnaG, for instance, to a system like this with the electronic programme guides? We must ensure that TnaG will not be left on channel 12 or 15 which people will not be inclined to turn to in the normal way. Given that the Minister has expressed political support for TnaG, will she ensure it is available and will be tuned into? Perhaps the Minister might comment on the electronic programme guides.
I have addressed the question of the electronic programme guides, which is an important element, as part of the memorandum to Government. I agree with the Deputy that access to public service broadcasting is extremely important and we must have the kind of structures that will reflect that. That is an important issue. I understand the Deputy's concern about ensuring TnaG is not at the bottom of the list with regard to the various channels. People may not be inclined to turn to a particular channel if they are distracted by many others before they reach it. I assure the Deputy these issues are reflected in my document to Government.
