asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the allegation that on sunny days distortion occurs to telephone communications being beamed to Howth en route from Dublin to areas in County Wicklow outside the 01-code district; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Communications.
51.
The answer to the first part of the question is yes. Service on the Dublin to Wicklow microwave link was interrupted at intervals on certain days between 4th and 20th May last by fading caused by unusual meteorlogical conditions of a kind and intensity last experienced in 1967. There is no question therefore of speech being distorted frequently in sunny weather as suggested. The link in question is due to be replaced next year by one of greater capacity which will, I am advised, be routed over a different transmission path and have improved safeguards against fading.
In Wicklow it is alleged that a great deal of the distortion is caused by Howth.
Is there anything to back that allegation up besides rumour? As I told the Deputy, service on the Dublin to Wicklow microwave link was interrupted at intervals on certain days between the 4th and the 20th May last by fading caused by unusual meteorological conditions of a kind and intensity last experienced in 1967.
Could it be the Minister's policy to interfere with the signal from Howth to Wicklow?
What is Howth?
A residential palace.