asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is making arrangements for the relaying in full of BBC 1 and UTV to all areas in the Twenty-six Counties where reception is not now available.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Multi-Channel TV Reception.
5.
As I indicated when introducing my Department's Estimate on 30th May, 1974, negotiations about the possibility of rebroadcasting one Northern channel, BBC 1, throughout the Republic as a first step towards the open broadcasting concept are proceeding satisfactorily but slowly.
If they prove successful in relation to the relay of BBC 1, the possibility of securing agreement for the retransmission of the other Northern Ireland services will be examined in due course.
Have the negotiations for the reciprocal arrangement also been going satisfactorily.
Yes. I made a statement about this when introducing the Estimate for the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. As explained then, I have made certain proposals in that area to the Secretary of State, Mr. Merlyn Rees. Deputies will readily understand that the Secretary of State has had somewhat more urgent matters pressing upon him in recent months. I shall, however, at the earliest suitable opportunity take this matter up once more.
My question was: are negotiations going successfully pari passu? Is he as successful in getting RTE programmes into the Six Counties as he is with the BBC into the Twenty-six Counties?
I would not speak of success until negotiations are completed. I have said that negotiations are proceeding satisfactorily but slowly.
Is the Minister making a distinction between Northern Ireland programmes and programmes broadcast to the rest of Britain?
Yes. Such a distinction has to be made. The limits of it are clear. The Deputy and the House will know that the amount of Northern Ireland input in BBC 1 from Northern Ireland is real but limited. We would like to see more of that but it is separate to the extent that there is a separate input in newscurrent affairs.
Is this what the Minister proposes to broadcast here?
Yes.
Does the Minister intend to insist on reciprocity in this matter? In other words, would he proceed with his proposals for the broadcasting of BBC programmes to the Twenty-six Counties if he were not in a position to ensure the broadcast of RTE programmes to the Six Counties?
I wish the two to proceed together as I indicated.
Will the Minister insist on that?
I have nothing further to add.
Why?
Because I do not wish to say anything which would have any impact on two sets of parallel negotiations which, in the minds of those with whom we are negotiating, are not linked at all.
Are they linked in the Minister's mind?
Yes.
We must pass on to Questions No. 6.