Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010
1574 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions that have taken place with British authorities on developing an all Ireland digital free to air carrying all the British and Irish freeview and saorview channels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33150/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans for a single all Ireland digital free to air network carrying all the UK Freeview and Irish TV channels.
The Memorandum of Understanding that I signed with my UK counterpart, Secretary of State Ben Bradshaw, MP, on 1 February 2010, deals with broadcast services and related radio spectrum issues in the context of the provision of digital terrestrial services on the island of Ireland.
The Memorandum aims to facilitate the widespread availability of RTÉ and TG4 in Northern Ireland and also provides an opportunity for the BBC to make itself available in the south. It is my intention that RTÉ services will be available on a ‘free-to-air' basis throughout the island of Ireland. The manner in which any BBC services would be provided is primarily a matter for the BBC.
My Department continues to engage with ComReg, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs, RTÉ and the Authorities in the UK to provide for the availability of RTÉ and TG4 throughout Northern Ireland.
A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding is available on www.dcenr.ie.
