I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 189 together.
Ireland's primary television stations are available throughout the country on a range of platforms including terrestrial, cable and MMDS and satellite platforms. A migration to digital television is under way in most EU countries. I expect that all television broadcasting will eventually be on a digital basis. This will provide benefits to viewers including more channels and better quality pictures and sound.
Free-to-air digital terrestrial television is not yet available in Ireland. Over time, the analogue terrestrial network will have to be upgraded to a digital network. In this regard I have asked my Department to develop a digital terrestrial television pilot project this year. Digital cable and MMDS and digital satellite multi-channel services are currently available in Ireland on a subscription and pay-per-view basis.
The availability of an increasing number of television channels via digital satellite is having and will continue to have a major impact on the Irish broadcasting landscape. The fact that many of these channels are not subject to Irish regulation is also a factor.
A significant increase in the numbers of channels available to viewers does not necessarily mean that viewers will be offered a corresponding increase in the nature and range of the programming on offer. I am clear that in a digital era there will continue to be a central role for both RTE and private broadcasters in delivering high quality programming that is of interest and of relevance to Irish audiences.