Stagg predicts RTÉ in Britain by autumn 2007
We hope to have RTÉ in Britain for next year’s All-Ireland final.
This is according to Irish politician Emmet Stagg who has urged the publication of a new Bill providing for the broadcasting of RTÉ outside of Ireland.
The Bill has been fast-tracked to ensure Irish people in Britain will have RTÉ in their homes at the earliest possible date.
It will go before the Dáil to be passed when politicians return after their Christmas break in February.
RTÉ will then be required to provide Irish emigrants in Britain with a television service under the new legislation.
The new responsibilities will mean that up-to-date Irish TV services will become widely available to Irish people in Britain — and possibly further afield.
Irish politician Emmet Stagg said he has met the Taoiseach in private to discuss fast-tracking a separate Bill from the original Broadcasting Bill to allow the broadcasting of RTÉ in Britain.
He said: “A Bill has been published aside from the original Broadcasting Bill and this will be passed by the Dáil when they return in February. Once passed RTÉ will be permitted to broadcast in Britain.”
According to Deputy Stagg it will cost Irish television license holders just 10c a year to fund the broadcasting of RTÉ in Britain.
The move however is expected to cost RTÉ millions of euro and the broadcaster is waiting to see the exact requirements contained in new legislation in order to estimate the cost.
RTÉ’s current remit limits the use of public funding to broadcasting in the island of Ireland. RTÉ had been seeking clarification on the issue in relation to this for some time.
The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill will require broadcasting services to be provided to Irish communities to mirror the existing schedules of RTÉ and TG4. TG4 will be required to provide some programming to RTÉ.
It will now be possible for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland to enter into contracts with multiplex contractors to provide Irish programming on digital television and radio, as well as on analogue television overseas.
When the legislation is published, RTÉ will have to explore ways of cost-efficiently meeting this new obligation. Reciprocal programme supply agreements with British broadcasters might be a way of reducing expenses.
Communications Minister Noel Dempsey has been keen to move on the issue of broadcast services for the Irish abroad and signalled his intention to legislate for emigrants earlier in the year.
He said: “I fully support the campaign to bring RTÉ to Britain and I will do all I can to make sure it happens.”
Mr Dempsey is trying to fast-track the legislation next week although it may take place in January.
A complete new Broadcasting Bill is expected to go before the houses in January.
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