asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if in view of the uncertainty felt by owners of television sets and the television dealers in this country, he will indicate what line standards will be fixed by him for the new television service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Line Standards for Television Service.
17.
The problem of line-definition is still under examination and I hope to announce a decision on the matter in the near future. The broad position at the moment is that there are considerable difficulties in the way of adopting any standard other than 405.
Can the Minister give us any idea when he will make this statement? "In the near future" as I have been answered on several occasions from Ministerial benches, means nothing. It might often mean five years. Would it be within the next two months?
I cannot give the Deputy that firm undertaking. A conference is being arranged and will be held in Stockholm next month at which this matter will be considered, the matter of high frequency. After that conference we could have the question examined and a firm decision taken.
Would that be within three months?
I cannot give a definite undertaking in the matter.
The reason why I put this question down is that when the Minister was introducing the Television Bill he stated that the line would be 405. He gave dealers that idea.
The Deputy is making a speech.
Because the Minister should make a statement.
That is another matter.
What Deputy Lynch states is not exactly correct. It was made perfectly clear that the Kippure station would open on the 405 line standard and that is the only decision taken to date.
May we take it that the Kippure station will open on the 405 standard?
Yes.