asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why permission to have piped television installed by a private concern for some residents of Bath Avenue, Dublin (details supplied) was refused.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Piped Television.
7.
Permission was not refused. The firm referred to by the Deputy withdrew their application for a licence to provide piped television for some residents in Bath Avenue.
Is the Minister saying the application was withdrawn?
Yes.
My information is that the Minister refused the application by a private concern and said the residents must have the piped television installed by a State or a semi-State concern.
I am sorry to say the Deputy has been misinformed. I should like to explain that the part of the city involved was one of many areas in the city for which more than one cable company had applied for a licence under the Wireless Telegraphy (Wired Broadcast Relay Licence) Regulations, 1974. At the request of some of the cable companies, my Department convened a number of meetings with the companies involved with a view to securing agreement on orderly and efficient development of cable television in Dublin by extension of the existing systems to uncabled areas. Following protracted discussions, the companies agreed among themselves on the areas which they considered should be serviced by each company, bearing in mind cabling already done in the area, provision of an efficient service to customers generally throughout the city, the expressed views of residents' associations and so on. The cable companies amended their applications for licences to take account of the agreement reached. I am satisfied that these agreements are likely to be in the best interests of the public generally and I have decided to issue licences for the provision of cable systems accordingly.
Was a licence issued to RTE?
The licence was issued as a result of agreement between the companies concerned. I do not think it is in order here for me to discuss which company in any particular case. No preference has been accorded as between RTE and other companies.