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Broadcasting Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 May 2008

Thursday, 22 May 2008

Ceisteanna (127)

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

124 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to complete the process whereby RTÉ can be broadcast into the UK. [20317/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The extension of RTÉ and TG4 television programming to the Irish community in Britain has been a long-standing and key objective of the Government. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, following a series of meetings between the Irish Abroad Unit, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and RTÉ, my colleague Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, announced in March that RTÉ's international service is scheduled to be on air in Britain by March 2009. Advances in satellite technology have facilitated the achievement of this goal. This new service will be provided through a digital satellite TV service called Freesat. Freesat was launched by the BBC and ITV earlier this month and is available without subscription to almost every household across Britain and Northern Ireland. The Freesat package offers a range of services not available on other systems, including High Digital programming, and access to more than 180 TV channels.

The only cost in accessing Freesat is a once-off payment of approximately €200 for a digital box and satellite dish. The service is totally free thereafter. I would intend, through the Irish Abroad Unit, to assist those less well-off and vulnerable Irish emigrants who may have difficulty in meeting the initial cost of the satellite dish and decoder required to access Freesat. The precise content to be broadcast on this new international service is currently being considered by RTÉ. We know, however, the service will provide some of the programmes most sought by the Irish in Britain, including news and current affairs, and most of RTÉ's indigenously produced programming. Current contractual arrangements in most cases, however, will preclude the transmission of sports events and acquired programming.

This new international service will provide the Irish abroad with a valuable link to home. I believe it will be particularly welcomed by the more elderly and isolated members of our community in Britain, a group whose welfare has always been central to the Emigrant Support Programme.

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