asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether representations have been made to him by interested parties for permission to erect communal aerials for various building development schemes; if he will state the reason why he cannot grant licences involving the relay of television programmes, from outside and inside the State, by piped or relay television services; and whether he is aware that the issue of a licence for erection of a communal aerial to receive Telefís Éireann programmes only would not appear to be justified having regard to modern demands for international services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Communal Television Aerials.
9.
The answer to the first part of the question is yes. Communal aerials are permitted here on a restricted basis. No objection is raised to the erection of an aerial to serve a single building or a single block of flats or not more than 10 adjacent houses. I am also prepared to consider applications for licences for larger communal aerials and piped television subject to the condition that only the Irish television programmes will be relayed.
I am aware that the main attraction in this country of piped television and large communal aerials is that they could provide improved reception of external television programmes. At present Telefís Éireann has an advantage in that it provides a much better picture in most parts of the 26 Counties than can be obtained from the BBC, UTV etc. This advantage would disappear if piped television or large communal aerial services were licensed to relay programmes from outside the State. The Irish television service is still in the development stage and it is important that it should command maximum audiences if it is to pay its way. Accordingly, for the present at any rate, I am not prepared to relax the conditions governing communal aerials and piped television.
It took a long time to get that out of the Minister. Is he aware that if he had given this permission for the installation of a piped television service two or three years ago when it was first sought, he would have saved the citizens of the State considerable expenditure on the provision of aerials? Now that they have the aerials, the service is to be given.
I do not think the Deputy has heard correctly what I said. I said I am prepared to give this concession for the reception of Telefís Éireann only. Telefís Éireann can, in fact, be received without an aerial, except in certain parts of the country.
The Minister should try the western seaboard and he would know all about that.
What are the restrictions the Minister mentioned in the first part of the answer?
I said that no objection is raised to the erection of an aerial to serve a single building or a single block of flats or not more than ten adjacent houses.
The Mininster said something about certain restrictions.
On UTV and BBC.