asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if in view of the difficulty of receiving Radio Éireann broadcasts in Britain he will consider increasing the power of the station.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio Éireann Broadcasts: Reception in Britain.
28.
Under the European Broadcasting Convention, to which this country is a party, the Athlone transmitter may not be raised beyond its present power of 100 kilowatts. In general, the power of transmitters permitted by the European Broadcasting Convention is related to that needed to provide a service of good quality within the national territory of signatory countries.
Would the Minister avail himself of this occasion to tell us how it is that Radio Luxembourg, broadcasting from Luxembourg, can cover this country and that we cannot?
They are not a party to the convention I mentioned here.
Not a party?
They are not; so I understand.
They do not seem to suffer by their absence from the convention.
We, as a country, have some obligations and commitments which we made at international conventions.
Would the Minister not also agree that he has responsibilities and commitments to the people in the south of Ireland, such as people in West Cork who cannot receive Radio Éireann?
I am taking steps to make money available to the new Authority to proceed with the work which the Deputy has in mind. It is a long time overdue.
The Minister said that under an international convention he had permision to raise the power of Radio Éireann to provide for good reception over the whole country.
I said nothing of the kind. During the debate on the Broadcasting Authority Bill I said that the only method by which the whole country could be covered would be by the introduction of the V.H.F. method of transmitting. I also said that in general the power of transmitters permitted under the European Broadcasting Convention is related to that needed to provide a service of good quality within the national territory of signatory countries and that was the consideration when it was decided to have the power of the Athlone transmitter at 100 kilowatts.
But it does not reach West Cork and Kerry.
Is the Minister aware that there is a different view as to the legal interpretation of that Convention and will he take steps, therefore, to ensure that another opinion is now taken on the Convention?
That is a separate matter entirely.
We were given bad advice and it is now being carried on through the Minister.
There is always a different view.