With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together.
I am aware that the plans for the second television service involve changing the frequency used by the transposer at Glenisland, Castlebar, County Mayo which transmits the existing television service. Viewers served by this transposer will need to have their aerials or aerials and sets modified to receive these programmes on a new frequency which has yet to be decided. RTE and my Department are very conscious of the need to minimise inconvenience to viewers. The modifications needed will depend on the final plans for the transposer and may not be very significant.
In addition, viewers who are within the service area of Truskmore transmitter will be affected. The polarisation of this transmitter is being changed from vertical to horizontal and the polarisation of viewers' rooftop aerials will have to be changed also from vertical to horizontal. This is quite a minor job. 405 line transmissions from Truskmore are also being ceased. Any viewers still depending on sets capable of receiving 405 line transmissions only will have to change their sets if they wish to receive RTE programmes.
I regret that I cannot agree to compensate those affected by adjustments in the existing TV service which, unfortunately, are unavoidable if the new service is to be provided at minimum cost for the maximum number of viewers.