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Telecommunications Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2006

Wednesday, 5 July 2006

Ceisteanna (235, 236, 237)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

237 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had recent discussions with broadcasting or sporting authorities with a view to ensuring free to air transmission in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26712/06]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

248 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects free to air broadcasting of various sports and sporting activities in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26725/06]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 248 together.

On 5th April last, I announced that it was my intention, following consultation with my Cabinet colleagues, to continue to designate the current list of designated events as events of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on a live basis on free television should be provided in the public interest.

This decision was made following a public consultation process conducted by my Department that resulted in close to 190 submissions being received from members of the public and interested parties. The criteria that must be met in order to justify designation are set down in the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act, 1999.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

238 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which radio and television programmes here are being made available throughout the island; if he has examined the prospect for a higher degree of transmission to other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26713/06]

Amharc ar fhreagra

There are no specific legislative impediments to commercial broadcasters who wish to broadcast to the Irish community in Britain, or elsewhere in the European Union, on a purely commercial basis.

As regards public service broadcasting, RTÉ's statutory mandate, as defined in section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001, provides that RTÉ's radio and television services shall be made available, in so far as is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the Island of Ireland.

As such, RTÉ's statutory mandate does not extend to the provision of radio or television services to Irish communities living in Britain or elsewhere.

As a consequence RTÉ may not use the proceeds of the television licence fee to provide such services.

However, it should be noted that many people living outside of the Island of Ireland already enjoy access to a considerable quantity of RTÉ's television programming by way of the Internet, and to RTÉ's radio services by way of satellite, LW and MW and the Internet.

In the light of the recommendations of the Task Force on Emigration, the issue of amending RTÉ's public service remit to include the provision of television services to Irish communities in Britain is currently being considered in the context of development of the legislative proposals that will form the basis of the proposed Broadcasting Bill.

It is anticipated that these legislative proposal will be published shortly.

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