of broadcasters in building the networks. An amended piece of legislation amended this model towards a multiple operator model and resulted in the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act 2007. A similar model has been successful during the intervening years in the UK and Spain. To that end his department also established a DTT trial in August 2006 to run for 2 years around Three Rock, Dublin transmitter and Clermont Carn, in County Louth. Minister for Transport: 2007–2011 Following the 2007 general election Dempsey was appointed as Minister for Transport. Among legislation introduced was the requirement of those on provisional driving licences to be accompanied by a qualified driver, which came into effect on 1 July 2008. Dempsey received widespread criticism across the Irish media over his January 2010 holiday in Malta and perceived lack of contactability when severe weather conditions led to massive disruption in across Ireland's transport systems. Retirement from politics On 17 December 2010, he announced that he would not be contesting the 2011 general election. On 19 January 2011, he announced his resignation as Minister for Transport. Dempsey receives annual pension payments of €119,177. References External links 1953 births Living people Alumni of University College Dublin Alumni of St Patrick's College, Maynooth Fianna Fáil TDs Local councillors in County Meath Members of the 25th Dáil Members of the 26th Dáil Members of the 27th Dáil Members of the 28th Dáil Members of the 29th Dáil Members of the 30th Dáil Ministers for Education (Ireland) Ministers for the Environment (Ireland) Ministers for Transport (Ireland) Ministers of State of the 26th Dáil Ministers of State of the 27th Dáil Politicians from County Meath Government Chief Whip (Ireland)