asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the considerable hardship being imposed on old age pensioners in areas where piped multi-channel television has been extensively introduced and which interferes with normal RTE reception in the area, thus obliging such pensioners to join the piped facility at a relatively greater cost; and if he will approach the authorities concerned on behalf of these pensioners who are in receipt of the free television licence to arrange for free connections or facilities at reduced rates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Piped Television.
57.
I am not aware of any case where interference is caused to normal reception of RTE television programmes by piped multi-channel television systems. RTE have all powers appropriate for the investigation and detection of interference with reception and will look into any cases of this kind known to the Deputy if he furnishes particulars to them.
My Department has no function regarding the rates of charge for subscribers to multi-channel television systems and it would not be appropriate for me to make an approach of the kind suggested by the Deputy.