asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the television transmitting station at Mount Leinster will be in full operation; whether he is aware that hire purchase companies in South Tipperary are inducing people to rent or buy television sets on the grounds that the present extremely defective reception in the area will be greatly improved when the Mount Leinster transmitter comes into full operation; and if he will state whether and at what date television reception in South Tipperary will in fact cease to be defective.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South Tipperary Television Reception.
28.
The Broadcasting Authority will determine when the Mount Leinster transmitter and the other provincial transmitters will be brought into full operation. I would, therefore, suggest to the Deputy that he address his inquiries to Radio Éireann.
If a Deputy writes to Radio Éireann or to the Television Authority, can the Minister state how his constituents will know what the information is?
I have no method of conveying what the Deputy wants to convey to his constituents. It is the Deputy's business to see that he serves his constituents and lets them know what he is doing.
If the Deputy puts down a question such as this because his constituents want to know the position, how are they to know the position if he is referred by the Minister to the Television Authority?
Has the Deputy not free post?
The Minister is aware that the public are entitled to know what is happening in something which they own. It is typical of the replies that come from that outfit.
Is there any reason why the information should not be given in the House?
It is a matter for the Broadcasting Authority.
It is not.
Under the Act passed in this House, it is.
This matter has arisen also in County Monaghan. Has the Minister not got an overriding responsibility to this House to see that the Television Authority take steps with reasonable urgency to make the Telefís Éireann service available in all parts of the country? Is it not manifest that if they sat down and left the people years waiting for a service, the Minister would have a duty to bring them to a sense of their responsibility? There are areas now where people are paying £4 a year for a licence but are still getting no reception. They have been very patient. Does the Minister not think he has an overriding responsibility to see that Telefís Éireann provides the service?
We are still not getting Radio Éireann in West Cork.
The Broadcasting Authority are taking all the steps necessary to provide a national service both from Telefís Éireann and sound broadcasting.
We are still not getting the sound broadcasting——
Will the Deputy please give me permission to finish? I am asked a question by the Leader of the Deputy's Party. I am endeavouring to answer him. This question is confined to Mount Leinster. This question asks when the Mount Leinster transmitter and the other provincial transmitters will be brought into full operation. The Mount Leinster site is only now clear of ice and snow since last Christmas.
According to the Minister's Party, the weather was not bad at all.
About half of the permanent mast has been erected. From now on, the Authority will take the necessary steps to erect the full mast and to give full broadcasting from Mount Leinster and the same from the other transmitters.
The weather again.
The Government will have to take steps to finance the Television Authority to provide the extra satellite stations needed to give full coverage to the country and I am taking the necessary steps towards that end.
Would the Minister consider asking the Authority to issue on their transmission service that kind of information which is needed and of which he is in possession—when it is likely that this area will be served, the difficulties being encountered at the moment, and so on? People will hear the information in that way.
If they are not able to hear it, what is the use of putting it on the radio?
Is it not true that the Television Authority are compulsive sleepers?
I want to compliment the Minister on answering the question. At least he did not do what the Minister for Transport and Power would do, namely, put his head down.
Why did the Minister not accord me that courtesy in the first place? Why did he treat a Deputy in an offhand manner?
I intended no discourtesy. I told the Deputy the exact position under the Act, in my reply.
It had to be dragged out of the Minister.