asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange for the reception of multi-channel television throughout the State.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Multi-Channel Television.
35.
When introducing my Department's Estimate to the House on 10th May I indicated that, in principle, I favour providing the public with the widest practicable choice of programmes.
I have already had an exploratory talk with the British Minister of Posts and Telecommunications and it has been agreed that British and Irish officials will meet to discuss the problems that are involved in making RTE and the three British television channels available throughout the whole of Ireland. I subsequently received a deputation of television users from Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway who made known their views in favour of receiving multi-channel television. In view of the complexity of the matter, it will be some time before I will be in a position to announce a decision on how best to move towards a wider choice of programmes.
How long does the Minister think it will be until he is in a position to make a decision in regard to multi-channel television for the whole country?
I would rather not commit myself on a time at this moment. It is a fact that whatever way we move on this it will be quite some time before viewers have the opportunity of the wider choice that I think almost all of us here wish them to have. If, for example, I were to take up the recommendation of the Broadcasting Review Committeee for the second RTE channel I think it would be at the very least two years, probably three years, before that came into operation. The same considerations apply to the other possibilities. I can only say we are exploring these now with a considerable sense of urgency and I will issue a report to the House from time to time on progress.
Would the Minister give a greater priority to the provision of a second RTE channel than he would to the reception of multi-channel television by the whole of the State?
I can assure the Deputy that I will very carefully consider the possibilities of both. I shall give due weight to the recommendation of the Broadcasting Review Committee on this but I shall also have to give some weight to the views and opinions of viewers in the present single channel area as these are made known to me. I referred to this deputation of television users from Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Galway who represent a considerable number—I do not say all—of television users in the area and who made it known to me with considerable force that in their view the second channel in the form recommended by the Broadcasting Review Committee would not comply with what they feel are their needs, so I have to weigh one consideration against the other.
This is a very important matter as far as those people who are only getting RTE reception, that is those people in the west of the country, are concerned. It is rather disturbing that the Minister is not giving a clear indication as to his priority. The people who requested that I put down this question, and some of them were on the deputation which met the Minister, are anxious to have multi-channel television before we get a second RTE channel. I should like to know whether the Minister is committed to doing that before he starts talking about giving us a second RTE channel.
I have nothing to add to my previous answer. I shall report to the Dáil from time to time. I do not think that policy formation by way of answers to supplementary questions is a very desirable way of proceeding.
Would the Minister bear in mind the importance of getting an RTE signal into the North of Ireland in view of the extent of ignorance in that part of the country about us?
Not merely do I have this in mind but I have had a conversation on the subject with the relevant British Minister and the question will be pursued energetically at official level.
I wonder could the Minister tell us what the view of the British Minister was in that regard?
I have already made a statement on this but I will repeat the substance of it for the Deputy. The British Minister concerned, Sir John Eden, did not feel able to commit himself one way or the other. He closed no doors. As he said in reply to a question by a Labour MP, he neither accepted nor rejected the proposals. The proposals will be studied further. I should like to add that it is clear that these proposals will be carefully considered and that they are, perhaps, somewhat more promising than proposals which were earlier considered in this matter.