Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Nov 1998

Vol. 497 No. 3

Priority Questions. - Abridged Book of Estimates.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

17 D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán an bhfuil sí sásta go mbeidh sé ar a gcumas ag Teilifís na Gaeltachta feidhmiú i gceart ó thaobh cláracha de agus an mbeidh siad ábalta athrú go dtí an córas digiteach leis na cistí reatha agus caipitil atá measta don bhliain seo chugainn. [24897/98]

The allocation provided for in the Abridged Book of Estimates for 1999 in relation to Teilifís na Gaeilge is in excess of the amount that would be payable in accordance with the formula approved by the previous Government in January 1995. It is my intention to seek Dáil approval for a Supplementary Estimate to enable an additional payment of £1.2 million to Teilifís na Gaeilge this year.

Teilifís na Gaeilge, under the overall responsibility of the RTE Authority until it is established as a separate entity, will have to develop proposals on how it might wish to develop its service in the context of digital broadcasting. If such proposals involve increased Exchequer funding they will be carefully considered by me.

An bhfuil meastachán déanta ag an Roinn ar na costais atá ag baint leis an aistriúchán go dtí an córas digiteach ag Teilifís na Gaeilge? Sin ceist a thagann as an méid a chuir mé síos. Ó thaobh an fheidhmiú údaraithe ag an lucht féachana, an mbeidh sé ar chumas Theilifís na Gaeilge, ag deireadh na bliana, má tharlaíonn an t-aistriúchán go córas digiteach, freastal ar 96 faoin gcéad den phobal agus 100 faoin gcéad den Ghaeltacht?

My point is not just the estimated cost of the transition to digital, but what guarantees are being put in place to ensure that Teilifís na Gaeilge will assure 97 per cent coverage nationally and 100 per cent coverage in the Gaeltacht? What is the Minister's view of the fact that the lowest increase in any Estimate head is for Teilifís na Gaeilge?

Digitalisation is a very important matter that must be addressed immediately. That is why I will have broadcasting legislation published very soon. It is imperative to push forward on digitalisation. There are costs involved, but, as Deputy Higgins will be aware, it means greater opportunities for the enhancement of reception. It will also mean an increased reception ability for people all over the country. Universality is very important. Reception is now at approximately 97 per cent for RTE, and it is important that Teilifís na Gaeilge is available to as many viewers as possible across the country.

Regarding the amount of funding available, the abridged Book of Estimates for 1999 will show that £11.5 million for current expenditure and £200,000 for capital expenditure compares very well with the present expenditure, which is £10.6 million and £200,000 for capital expenditure for 1998. I and the Government would be happy to give more money to Teilifís na Gaeilge, but the current increases are greater than if we had followed the formula set out in 1995. On 20 January 1995 the Government urged that Exchequer expenditure of £10 million be provided for Teilifís na Gaeilge's running costs in 1996 and 1997, and thereafter £10 million annually, adjusted upwards to take account of inflation. Taking the annual inflators provided by the Department of Finance at Estimate time, the original £10 million would be worth £11.2 million in 1999. No provision for increase was made in the Government decision, and the £11.7 million I have been able to give is £500,000, or two years, ahead of the Government decision of that time. Knowing the Deputy's commitment to Teilifís na Gaeilge, he will welcome the substantial and significant increase in the money allocated to that body.

I ask the Minister to reread the 1995 Memorandum for Government. When it is available to her she will see that there was nothing in that decision that confined the increase for Teilifís na Gaeilge to the rate of inflation.

Correct.

It would be a fiction to suggest that this is so. Government papers will sustain that view. My question related to the adequacy of the funding to Teilifís na Gaeilge to enable it to complete its existing commitment to programmes. I have not had a satisfactory answer, and I believe the Minister has had a view expressed to her Department from Teilifís na Gaeilge.

I also asked about the adequacy of funding, capital and current, to enable the transition to digital. The Minister will agree that that was not the issue in 1995. Now that the Minister is taking up this issue — I appreciate her interest in digitalisation — she mentioned upcoming broadcasting legislation. Will there be an independent electronic programme guide that will have a must carry clause for Telilifís na Gaeilge? Will it be a requirement in that legislation that any licences to be considered will have a must carry clause relating to the national services, including Teilifís na Gaeilge?

Deputy Higgins asked if I believed that the increase in funding would enable Teilifís na Gaeilge to carry out its work, given that it faces the digital age. As we know, the procedure was that RTE was to provide one hour's programming free of charge to Teilifís na Gaeilge and, in line with the increases for Teilifís na Gaeilge, that will help to alleviate any problems in providing funding for the station. I can put Deputy Higgins's mind at rest on the must carry clause, though we will be able to discuss the broadcasting legislation in detail.

Barr
Roinn