Rabbitte hails 'historic' digital TV switchover
Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has today heralded "the dawn of the digital broadcasting era" in Ireland.
Speaking at the event to mark the completion of the digital TV switchover and the switch off of the national analogue TV network, the Minister said that the move will produce "an important digital dividend which will boost competitiveness".
"This is an historic event," he said. "A new and exciting advance for broadcasting in Ireland.
"Public service broadcasting remains vital to the social, political and cultural life of the nation. What we are doing here today ensures people will continue to have access to free-to-air television, providing a full range of services, with a strong national voice."
Regarding the digital dividend, Minister Rabbitte noted that the closure of the analogue TV network frees up "space for mobile broadband services. This digital dividend presents real opportunities for new broadcasting and telecommunications services to our people."
Speaking about the public information campaign he added that: “Great care has been taken over the past 18 months to deliver switchover as successfully as possible.
"I want to thank all concerned who have worked on the project. In particular I want to thank the many volunteers up and down the country who selflessly gave of their time in the Community Outreach Programme.
"They have helped tens of thousands of people who otherwise may have found it difficult to upgrade to digital TV."
Also welcoming the switch, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamonn Gilmore underlined the significance of the switch in the North, saying: "The Good Friday Agreement contains important provisions to promote respect, understanding and tolerance for linguistic diversity.
"Making TG4 and Raidió na Gaeltachta as well as the two RTÉ channels available to an audience in Northern Ireland is a welcome step towards fully realising the shared society envisaged by the Agreement.
"I very much welcome that people on all parts of the island will now be able to enjoy the programmes offered by TG4 and RTÉ.”
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