Vol. 523 No. 2
96 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has concluded her review of the Broadcasting Bill; when she intends to publish final proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20238/00]
The Government decided in June 2000 that the process of establishing a digital terrestrial television, DTT, platform in Ireland should proceed on the basis of two separate operations. RTE will be required to offer its network and transmission business for sale on the basis that it will retain an equity stake of not more than 28% of the entity thus created. Separately, the six DTT multiplexes will be offered to the market.
As a result, the sections in the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, which deal with the establishment, licensing and obligations of the designated company – the single DTT entity envisaged under the original decision – need to be amended to cater for the establishment, licensing and obligations of two separate companies. There will also be consequential amendments to other sections in the Bill. The combined functions and objectives of the two separated entities will, however, be broadly the same as those envisaged in the case of the single DTT entity provided for in the existing Bill. Consequently, the overall purpose and scope of this part of the Bill will not change.
