Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
468 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects TV3 to make a decision on the carriage of the Saorsat service; the contract that has been made between his Department and the organisation on the matter to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25564/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no contract between TV3 and my Department. TV3 is a commercial broadcaster and I have no role in the operation of TV3 nor in its commercial or business decisions.
TV3 operates under contract from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to provide a national commercial broadcasting service.
The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for TV3 to operate on SAORVIEW, should it wish to do so. TV3 has made a commercial decision to use the SAORVIEW service and in that regard space has been made available on SAORVIEW for the two TV3 channels — TV3 and 3e.
SAORSAT is a satellite TV service developed and operated by RTÉ. Its aim is to provide coverage of the RTÉ and other TV channels carried on it to the last 2% of the population so that all the people of Ireland can chose to receive these channels on a free to air platform.
RTÉ is not required to provide SAORSAT and has developed the service on its own initiative. RTÉ's legislative obligation is to provide a national digital TV service and I am informed that this obligation is fully met through their SAORVIEW service.
I understand from RTÉ that SAORSAT currently carries RTÉ1, RTÉ2 (HD), TG4, RTÉ1+1, RTÉjr, RTÉ News Now and 10 Irish radio channels.
I also understand from RTÉ that, subject to agreement of the necessary commercial arrangements, carriage on SAORSAT is open to TV3 should they decide that they wish to be carried on the service. That decision, however, is a commercial matter for TV3 in the first instance.
