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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 19 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 4

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

85 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position with regard to the provision of digital terrestrial television especially having regard to the withdrawal of the sole applicant for the digital multiplex licence; the total costs incurred by RTE and his Department arising from the now abandoned plans to sell off RTE's transmission network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22335/02]

Following the withdrawal of its application for the digital multiplex licence, the process of establishing a digital terrestrial television platform in Ireland has ended without success. I am currently considering the options for bringing the matter forward. The costs incurred by my Department relate to the work undertaken on the Department's behalf by a consortium of consultants led by AIB Corporate Finance who were engaged to manage the multiplex licence selection process.

To date some €2.65 million in fees – including VAT – plus expenses of €113,000 has been paid to the consortium and €120,000 in fees plus – plus VAT – is outstanding. The consultants' fees relate to the period from February 1999 to October of this year.

With regard to the costs incurred by RTE, the sale of the RTE transmission network and the costs associated with the sale process are matters in the first instance for that company. I understand from RTE that it has provided for costs of €11.8 million in relation to the potential disposal of its transmission network.

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