THE first statement from a senior government source on how television technologies will be developed in the State is in the memorandum to the Government containing the proposals for broadcasting legislation.
In a background note, included in the memorandum, which has been seen by The Irish Times, the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins, states that the proposed Broadcasting Commission will provide advice to the Minister "on the application of the new broadcasting technologies, particularly the introduction of digital terrestrial broadcasting".
The statement itself might have been passed over only for the fact that senior personnel in RTE, those central to any decisions on digital television, did not know a decision had been taken on what delivery system the Republic would adopt, whether terrestrial, cable or satellite.
The legislative proposals beg some questions, the main one being why has there been no debate about such important technologies, and why are we still at the stage where the Minister will be seeking advice on this from a body that has not yet been established.
The debate about the future of broadcasting technologies has been raging in Britain for the past two years or more. By the end of this year Rupert Murdoch will be offering up to 200 satellite digital services.
Terrestrial digital services will be tested on British television before the end of this year. The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and the new Channel 5 will be offering simultaneously digital and analogue services, as well as a whole range of new services.
When UTV withdrew from its involvement in the proposed new Irish service, TV3, last year it said it wanted to concentrate on developing its digital service. It could offer digital services in much of the Republic without cables or satellites if it wanted.
Many, if not all, those British services will be available in the Republic, at least technically. Some will probably be on cable services, which will decode the signal, or viewers will buy set top decoders. Given the possibilities of Mr Murdoch's 200 channels, then the satellite dish becomes a real temptation.
In all this change, where is RTE? There is a realistic and genuine fear that if decisions are not "taken, Mr Murdoch will become the major player in Irish television with his control of so many stations and also by supplying the set top boxes even before RTE has been given permission to move ahead.
RTE could be forced to find a place on his satellite in order to be available in digital form to Irish viewers.
Digital is initially expensive but for the viewers the technology is already becoming cheaper, in order to tempt them to upgrade their TV sets. Currently, a widescreen digital television set, with the decoder built in, costs well over £1,000. However, in Britain it is expected that high street retailers will be selling a digital wide screen television for £650 by next Christmas.
Decisions have to be made as to who will control transmission. Mr Higgins's all powerful commission will be able to move transmission away from RTE and so deprive it of potential earnings. Last week, the BBC announced it had sold its transmission system for £220 million, which will help fund its digital ambitions.
Terrestrial digital television can be received easily, without expensive cables or dishes. It will mean 40 Irish channels will be available that can either be a sources of income, or can be used for regional or specialist services.
If decisions are not made soon, most of the television watched in this country will be controlled, not by Mr Higgins's Broadcasting Commission, but by Mr Murdoch.