Enda Kenny
Ceist:41 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she has for the introduction of digital broadcasting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3062/99]
Priority Questions. - Digital Broadcasting.
I refer the Deputy to my replies to Question No. 183 of 14 October 1998 and Question No. 3 of 15 October 1998 on the subject of digital broadcasting.
At present, my Department is in consultation with RTE, the Independent Radio and Television Commission and the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation regarding the draft text of the necessary legislation to provide for a statutory regime which will facilitate the early introduction in Ireland of digital broadcasting services, in particular digital terrestrial television, DTT.
I expect to appoint consultants in the immediate future to advise the interdepartmental project management group on the selection of a partner for RTE to form the commercial entity which will be responsible for the provision of transmission and technical facilities to broadcasters in the new digital era.
As I indicated before, I hope that DTT services will be available in the middle or latter half of the year 2000.
Is the appointment of the consultants to which the Minister referred being done on a tender basis? What is the remit of the consultants who are to be appointed? Is there a timescale for their report, in terms of the wording of the legislation?
The proposals are currently being drafted, as I am sure the Deputy is aware. Matters are very advanced in that regard and it is hoped to publish the proposals at the end of this month or March. The usual tendering process is under way.
What is the current position in regard to Digico? Are the projected savings accruing from this because of the partnership which RTE proposed to enter into? Does the Minister know when that might become operational?
We are speaking here about what is known for working purposes as the Digico situation. It will be established with responsibility for the provision of digital transmission capacity on a commercial basis for broadcasters, and for the future development of a digital terrestrial broadcasting platform for the benefit of the information society.
I am sure the Deputy is aware, from our previous discussions on the question of digital, that Digico will assume responsibility for RTE's existing transmission facilities, and other transmission facilities provided by RTE for other broadcasts under contract. RTE will have a shareholding of up to 40 per cent in Digico in return for the facilities in existing businesses which will be assumed by this new entity.
An interdepartmental group has been established to oversee the establishment of Digico. As I said in my initial reply, I am in the process of engaging consultants to advise the group on all aspects of the establishment of this new entity, including the suitability of potential candidates to take a shareholding in the new entity, having regard to Government policy on broadcasting.
What is the position in regard to the new broadcasting regulator? This is the new body which is to assume the responsibilities of the Independent Radio and Television Commission and the current Broadcasting Complaints Commission. When is it likely to be set up and how far advanced is it?
Has the Minister decided on the use of the six multiplexes which are to be set up under the digital system? RTE will have access to one and TnaG and TV3 will have access to another one. What will happen to the other four multiplexes? How are they to be used? It annoys me intensely that TV3, which operates under a licence with controls from the Department and the Independent Radio and Television Commission, has snubbed the Minister, this House and the people of Ireland, in that not a single word of the Irish language is heard on that station. Under its remit or contract it is bound by law to carry some elements of the Irish language. It is, after all, beaming into Gaeltacht areas. The Minister should look at that question to see if under the remit allocated to TV3 it might concern itself to some extent with this matter. After all, it is being viewed by people with very strong views who want to associate all our indigenous channels with the Irish language.
With the introduction of digital services I intend to expand greatly the powers of what is now known as the Independent Radio and Television Commission. The broad function of the Independent Radio and Television Commission will become, first, to make arrangements in accordance with the provisions of the proposed Bill for the provision of sound and television broadcasting services, additional to any such services provided by RTE and Teilifís na Gaeilge. Second, the commission is required to endeavour to ensure that the number and categories of broadcasting services best serve the needs of the people bearing in mind our traditions and culture. Also, the commission may, as part of the arrangements I referred to already, guarantee access for the broadcasting services, or part thereof, of broadcasters established in the North, provided that equitable, reciprocal arrangements are made by the British authorities in respect of the transmission of services of RTE, Teilifís na Gaeilge and TV3.
There will be other detailed additional functions of the commission with regard to assessing general programming standards in consultation with RTE. When these have been drawn up they will apply to analogue as well as digital services.
From time to time, we will have to draw up, publish and amend codes of broadcasting, advertising and sponsorship. The control of advertising time on all television services, with the exception of free to air services of RTE and Teilifís na Gaeilge – including power to permit certain advertising techniques and advertisements during certain times on all or certain services – will also be looked at. We will also draw up codes for what used to be known as the Broadcasting Complaints Commission. That is just a flavour of the extra powers that will be given, under the new digital system, to the expanded Independent Radio and Television Commission as the regulatory body.
TV3 is a commercial station and, therefore, cannot be viewed in the same way as RTE or TnaG. I share the Deputy's interest in wishing to see further Irish programming on TV3. I made that wish known publicly at the launch of TV3.
The question of the remit and contract of TV3 is not my concern as Minister, but that of the Independent Radio and Television Commission. It is the commission's business and, therefore, I have no say with regard to the content of such contracts.