Vol. 546 No. 4
38 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the position regarding the planned introduction of digital terrestrial television; the number of bids received to date for a majority stake in the RTE transmission network; when it is expected that the process will be completed; when she expects that the digital terrestrial television service will be launched; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31805/01]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 7 of 8 November 2001. I do not have detailed information in relation to the bidders in the RTE transmission network sale process, as that process is being conducted by RTE. I understand from RTE that it is expected that that process will conclude by the end of January next. Having regard to the stage that the two processes through which the digital terrestrial television platform is to be established have now reached, it may be anticipated that DTT services could launch in the second half of next year.
