asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if there are any further proposals to improve the reception of RTE programmes in the North of Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - RTE Reception In North.
56.
The coverage of RTE Radio in Northern Ireland will be greatly improved when the new high-power medium wave transmitter is brought into service, hopefully before the end of next year. As regards television, I have made known my views about an open broadcasting area for the whole of Ireland and this is under discussion between officials of my Department and their opposite numbers in the British Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
Deputy Brugha was offering and, as the question is his, he has preference.
I will give way to Deputy Blaney.
The Deputy gives way to Deputy Blaney.
I thank both the Ceann Comhairle and Deputy Brugha. Might I inquire from the Minister whether, in fact, there exists any Convention in relation to broadcasting, whether television or sound, to which we adhere or have given our allegiance in the past which is now being changed or which we propose to ignore? I would not like the Minister to think I am against ignoring it. It should have been ignored long ago.
I am not in favour of ignoring it, I am afraid. This would have to be registered with the International Frequency Registration Board. As Deputy Collins is aware, approaches were made in this matter and the necessary consent was not forthcoming without the consent of the British authority. We are now engaged in negotiations with the British authority and I do not think I can predict the result either way. It is possible this is a matter of which the Council of Ireland, if and when—it is "when", we hope—it is set up will be seized.
We will be playing draughts——
Is there any other means whereby it might be possible for RTE to put their signal even beyond the overspill areas that exist?
It is quite possible to boost the signal if we are prepared to violate international conventions to which we are a party. I take it the Deputy would not wish us to do that.
Could the Minister state how many meetings took place between his officials and those of the British Ministry and when the most recent meeting took place?
That is a separate question.
It is not.
The number of meetings so far was two, one with the two Ministers and their officials and one with officials without Ministers, towards the middle of this month, I think, and another meeting will take place early next month, and there will be further meetings after that.
Would the Minister say if any effort is being made to improve the existing booster stations in the Border counties which would certainly improve very much the quality of reception from these in the Six County area at the moment?
I am glad the Deputy raised that. A low-power VHF transposer is to be installed in Donegal early next year to improve reception there. It will also improve reception in north Antrim, Derry and west Down.