Houses of the Oireachtas to be Televised on UPC

Oireachtas TV is a public service broadcast for the two houses of the Oireachtas.  For the first time, extended coverage of sittings in Dáil Éireann will be available to view on digital television. The channel will also broadcast coverage of sessions of Seanad Éireann and sittings of the Oireachtas Committees will be aired when the Dáil is not in session.  The Houses of the Oireachtas is creating innovative partnerships to meet an increasingly diverse and media-savvy population.
 
Speaking today Ceann Comhairle, Seán Barrett, TD, said:  \"I am delighted to be able to announce the launch of this new Parliamentary TV Transmission.  On my election as Ceann Comhairle, I identified the need for increased access for the public so that they can inform themselves of the work of Parliament and its members.  This transmission on UPC 801 is the first step in delivering this to the public.  From today 957,000 people in 328,000 homes in Ireland will have the choice to watch and listen to live and recorded footage from the Dáil, Seanad and Committees meeting in Leinster House.

I want to particularly record my thanks to Dana Strong, Chief Executive Officer of UPC and her team who were innovative in their approach and have proven their commitment to this project from the start.  I am excited by the prospect and possibilities of this project and hope that the public will use this facility to follow the work of the Houses of the Oireachtas.  In time I hope that this service can be rolled out by the other TV providers so that all the citizens of Ireland can have universal access to watch and listen to their National Parliament.  As this is a pilot, the public will be invited to give their views and feedback.  I am eager to hear from the public about their ideas on this initiative and invite them to e-mail TV@oireachtas.ie.”
 
Dana Strong, CEO at UPC Ireland said, “I doubt there has ever been a time when a service such as this was more essential.  From tomorrow the public can engage with their representatives and the issues in the Dáil in real time. Given the complexity of issues facing Ireland and the Irish people, this is of critical public benefit and we are delighted to work with the Parliament in this way.
 
The Oireachtas Channel is an important addition to our existing TV offering as it provides a unique public service.  We believed from the outset that a dedicated Oireachtas channel would be of great interest and benefit to consumers and that is why we are focused on developing a channel that would provide a comprehensive insight into the inner workings of the Irish Parliament.”
 
Transmission will commence at 2.00 pm today, (Tuesday), when it will air the sitting of Dáil Éireann live.

If you require a photograph of this Oireachtas Event please contact Mick Quinn Photography at +353 1 4604724 or shoot@mqphoto.com

Ends

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Notes to the Editor:
(1) Cost
This service is being delivered at no additional cost to the Houses of the Oireachtas or the tax-payer.

(2) Facts & Figures
The Oireachtas broadcast will be available through the UPC Channel 801 to approx. 957,842 people or in percentage terms it will reach 20.5% of the population in 328,100 homes.

(3) Schedule of programming
Attached is a sample schedule for this week’s broadcast including both the live coverage from Dáil Éireann and the recorded loop from Seanad Éirean and Oireachtas Committees’ to be broadcast from Friday evening to Tuesday morning (18 to 22 November).

(4) Extension of Service
The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission are in contact with the other service providers and hope that in time this service will be offered on those other channels.  

(5) Parliamentary TV Channels
Some other Parliaments that transmit live are:

UK Parliament
New Zealand Parliament
Danish Parliament available at: Folketinget TV