Following lengthy preparations in producing a policy document on the future of Irish television, Fine Gael has been forced to cancel the launch of its plans today. Party sources last night accused the Government of "gazumping" Fine Gael by announcing its own proposals at short notice on Wednesday.
However, a spokesman for the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms Sile de Valera, said Fine Gael's accusation was "complete nonsense". Fine Gael sources said they understood the Government had not intended to publish anything at this point in relation to broadcasting. The party's spokesman on Public Enterprise, Mr Ivan Yates, decided on Wednesday night - in the wake of Ms de Valera's launch - that there was no point in Fine Gael producing its policy document "Irish Television Transmission in the New Millennium" today.
It is understood Mr Yates was extremely annoyed and asked that today's launch in the Arthouse Multimedia Centre in Dublin's Temple Bar be cancelled. Rejecting Fine Gael's claims, the Minister's spokesman said Ms de Valera's memo on broadcasting was presented to Government in June and this information was on the Dail record.
The Cabinet gave approval on Wednesday to radical legislation dealing with the regulation of Irish television in the digital era. The measures will allow for the creation of up to 30 terrestrial digital channels and other telecommunications services, including data broadcasting and high speed Internet services.