Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Rawlings (Conservative) on Tuesday, 25 January 2011.

Broadcasting: Northern Ireland

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Rawlings on 12 January (WA 441), what has been the cost to date of the work on new arrangements for broadcasting at RTÉ in Northern Ireland; what was the cost of the construction and the annual running of a new transmitter at Divis for provision of Telefis na Gaeilge (TG4) in Northern Ireland; which country has paid for the transmitter; and whether the United Kingdom intends to pay all the building and running costs for the continuing provision of TG4 in Northern Ireland through construction of a new, low-power television multiplex there.

Answer: The installation costs of the Divis transmitter in 2005 for the provision of Telefis na Gaeilge (TG4) was approximately £268,000. This was paid for by the UK Government. The original annual running costs, subject to inflation, totalled approximately £16,000. The costs of the new low-power TV multiplex will be met by RTÉ and the UK Government. The UK Government will pay for the provision of TG4 to enable it to continue broadcasting in line with undertakings given in the Belfast agreement. The costs of the work on the new arrangements have not been finalised.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5958; 724 c132WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Broadcasting: Northern Ireland
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Written questions
House of Lords; Television Channels: Northern Ireland
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Aerials Expenditure Irish language Northern Ireland Television channels Operating costs RTÉ
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk