asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that damage has been done to various housing estates in Drogheda and Dundalk as a result of the collapse of individual television aerials; and that their unsightly nature destroys the excellent appearance of new housing estates; if he will give approval to the erection of communal television aerials in towns where all programmes are easily received as there will be no change in the number of stations available; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Television Aerials.
23.
While I sympathise with the objections to the proliferation of individual rooftop aerials, I cannot ignore the financial consequences for Radio Telefís Éireann that would follow the introduction on any scale of communal aerial systems designed to improve the reception of television programmes from outside the State. The position in this regard has been explained to the House on many occasions. Over a large part of the country RTE has to compete for viewers with the wealth and sophistication of BBC and ITV services. At present it has the advantage of being able to provide a better picture than is ordinarily available from outside stations. This is generally regarded in other countries as a legitimate advantage for the home service. Accordingly, I do not propose at present to make any change in the existing arrangements, but I am keeping the position under review.
This is a new form of protection in a free trade area consciousness. Is that right?
In reply to the Deputy the relaying of RTE programmes in the Six Counties is not permitted.
I am not asking about that but this is a new form of protection in the free trade area that the Taoiseach is advocating.
Is it not true that on the east coast all the television channels can be received and therefore there is no reason why there should not be this communal television aerial which would give far better reception? It would not affect your advertising and would remove these unsightly and, in fact, dangerous television aerials in housing estates. Some local authorities are insisting on an insurance policy to be taken out in case the aerials fall on the roofs.
I think the Deputy knows that the introduction of communal aerials would not eliminate all the unsightly aerials anyway. It would not be utilised to that extent. We do permit a communal aerial for as many as ten houses or for a single block of flats. Beyond that we refuse the licence.
Beyond that you are defending your advertising value but where there is no defence, for the whole of the east coast, why do it?
Of course, most people can receive other programmes on ordinary sets.
The Minister is saying what he has been told to say.