New Bill to allow RTÉ focus on Irish abroad

A Bill allowing RTÉ to provide a television and radio service to Irish communities outside the island of Ireland was introduced by Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey.

He said the issue of contact with Ireland, and the desire for information about contemporary Ireland, was fundamental to Irish communities and individuals living abroad.

"That longing to connect to events at home affects even those of us who live on this island. Many of us on holiday abroad have found ourselves, despite our best intentions and resolutions, sitting in an internet cafe logging on to the RTÉ website to catch up with what is happening at home."

Mr Dempsey said that the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill would also hasten the development of digital terrestrial broadcasting services in Ireland.

He said that up until 2001, Tara TV provided a means for the Irish community in Britain to access some of RTÉ's programming. Unfortunately, that commercial venture did not manage to attract sufficient revenues and ceased to broadcast.

As had been pointed out by the taskforce on policy regarding emigrants, the loss of Tara TV was greatly regretted by many Irish people in Great Britain, particularly the elderly, said Mr Dempsey.

Consequently, the taskforce recommended that consideration be given to developing the role of television as a contact point for the Irish abroad and that funding be made available for the provision of such a service.