A new parliamentary channel has been launched by the Houses of the Oireachtas and is available on Sky and UPC. Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton and a member of the Oireachtas TV Editorial Board has welcomed this development the aim of which is to improve public understanding and perception of the Oireachtas and its members.

“The development of Oireachtas TV formed an integral part of the Houses of the Oireachtas Communications Strategy 2012-2014 and I am very pleased that it has finally come to fruition following a successful pilot project in late 2011 on UPC. While proceedings of the parliament have been available to watch live for some time online, a new TV channel will provide a greater opportunity for members of the public to watch parliamentary proceedings live from their homes.

“Oireachtas TV is available on UPC Channel 207 and Sky Channel 574 and will also shortly be available to Eircom subscribers and through the Oireachtas App. Discussions are also ongoing with RTE to deliver Oireachtas TV on Saorview.

“Currently Oireachtas TV is available in over 1.1 million homes and is delivering unprecedented public access to the work of the Dail, Seanad and Oireachtas Committees in a cost effective manner. Full details of Oireachtas TV weekly schedule are available at on the Oireachtas website at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/live-oireachtastv/tvschedule/ I would encourage anyone with an interest in politics, parliamentary debates and current affairs to take a look at the new channel.”