72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns in Northern Ireland in relation to limited access to RTÉ channels for many viewers with further difficulties emerging with the availability of television streaming services; if he is also aware of the concerns of viewers in this State particularly in border counties such as Cavan and Monaghan due to the non availability of access to the player platforms of channels (details supplied) which traditionally have been popular channels in such areas. [67641/26]

There is an existing legislative obligation on RTÉ and TG4 to make their broadcasting service free-to-air to the whole community of Ireland, in so far as it is reasonably practical. However, cases arise where they cannot broadcast certain content outside the State due to rights restrictions by external rights holders such as sports bodies, independent producers etc.

It is often the case that the rights to content are offered to broadcasters on a geographic or territorial basis and another broadcaster in the UK may have already acquired exclusive rights to broadcast in Northern Ireland. Both RTÉ and TG4 do endeavour to secure rights on an all-island basis where possible.

With regard to access to UK broadcasters in this jurisdiction, there is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Ireland and the UK, signed in 2010.  While the primary purpose of this MOU was to ensure a smooth transition to digital terrestrial television (DTT) on the Island, it also refers more generally to cooperation on the availability of public service broadcasting, including ensuring widespread availability of TG4 in Northern Ireland and facilitating widespread availability of BBC facilities here and RTÉ in Northern Ireland. However, as the MOU deals with terrestrial television services, it does not address "over-the-top" or streamed services of broadcasters in either jurisdiction.

It should be noted that both RTÉ and TG4 are widely available on the Freeview platform in Northern Ireland. However, I am advised there are a number of technical reasons as well as commercial rights reasons why viewers in either jurisdiction may not be able to access content on over-the-top internet platforms, such as BBC Player.