asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of reports of local radio interference with RTE radio reception in Britain; and if he has taken any steps to deal with the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Radio Reception in Britain.
9.
I am aware that there have been complaints about interference with reception of RTE in the London area caused by a new local London station. As I mentioned in the reply to the debate on my Department's Estimate on 20th June, 1973, this is one of the matters I mentioned to Sir John Eden, the British Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when I met him in London in May. He told me then that the interference which exists is temporary but, that, unfortunately, it will go on for about two years until the present station is replaced by a permanent one on a different wavelength.
Reception of RTE radio programmes in Britain generally should be much improved when the new high powered transmitter to replace the Athlone transmitter is in service, probably by the end of next year.
The Minister will understand that there is considerable anxiety about this matter. Can he tell me if Radio Éireann have a right to the medium band wavelength which we use in Britain, or can any station break in on the wavelength?
I understand there is anxiety about this question and that is why I raised the matter with Sir John Eden. I do not think we have any prescriptive rights in Britain to audibility on the band on which we broadcast here—it is quite obvious we do not.
The BBC are not interfered with here by us in any way. Can the Minister not ensure we are not interfered with in Britain in any way?
I do not think I have any means of ensuring that.