Legislation
Legislation for the provision and development of DTT services in Ireland was enacted under the Broadcasting Act 2001 and updated in the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007. Both these Acts have now been superseded by the Broadcasting Act 2009. A copy of the Act is available by following this link.
Statutory Instrument No. 85 of 2010, the RTÉ (National Television Multiplex) Order 2010, requires RTÉ to ensure that its free to air digital television service is operational and available to 90% of the population by 31st October 2010.
Statutory Instrument No. 67 of 2011 confers additional functions on the BAI in relation to services on the digital television network. Further information can be found on the BAI website - http://www.bai.ie
Memorandum of Understanding - Coordination of digital switchover with Northern Ireland
On 1st February 2010 the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. This MOU provides for North-South co-operation on the transition to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and analogue switch off. It also provides for the carriage of TG4 on northern Irelands DTT platform. In addition, it provides for space to be made available for RTÉ and the BBC on the DTT networks in Northern Ireland and Ireland respectively, should they wish to avail of this opportunity. RTÉ has a legislative requirement to provide services to the Island of Ireland and so is pursuing the offer of space on the DTT multiplexes in Northern Ireland. To date, the BBC has not pursued the opportunity. The MOU is available by following this link.