§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if the Government will consider(a) satellite and (b) cable delivery platforms to implement the commitments regarding the extension of reception of the signal TG4 in Northern Ireland made by the Government in the Belfast Agreement in 1998;[74087]
(2) if the Government have identified terrestrial delivery options from transmitters located in Northern Ireland in seeking to implement the commitments regarding the extension of reception of the signal TG4 in Northern Ireland made by the Government in the Belfast Agreement in 1998. [74086]
§ Dr. HowellsWe are considering the technical feasibility of improving the coverage of Irish language television services in Northern Ireland terrestrially. It is already open to Irish broadcasters to negotiate the carriage of their services on digital satellite, for reception in Northern Ireland, with the platform provider. Similarly, it is for the broadcasters to determine the viability of providing cable television services in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she intends to include provisions in the Communications Bill to provide statutory implementation measures for the commitments regarding Irish language television production in Northern Ireland made by the Government in the Belfast Agreement in 1998; [74082]
(2) if she will provide for the establishment of an Irish language production fund in Northern Ireland in the Communications Bill to implement the commitments regarding financial support for such production in Northern Ireland as made by the Government in the Belfast Agreement of 1998. [74085]
622W
§ Dr. HowellsWe are currently giving careful consideration to these issues following responses to the consultation on the draft Communications Bill. I will write to the hon. Member shortly with a more detailed response.