asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the plans his Department have for the improvement of television reception in the Ballymacarbery/Nire Valley area of County Waterford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Waterford Television Reception.
3.
RTE have no plans for the improvement of television reception in the Ballymacarbery-Nire Valley area in the near future.
There is absolutely no reception in these areas.
It is not possible to do anything about it in the near future.
Have RTE any long-term plans to improve reception there?
The Deputy will appreciate that this is a very difficult area. RTE are engaged in work on the renewal of the existing transmitter network and the provision of a network for the second TV service in the context of which improved reception will be provided in many areas throughout the country. However, because of the surrounding mountains which interfere with signals, the work RTE are doing now will not bring an improvement in the area referred to by the Deputy.
Is it possible the people living there will be able to receive RTE2?
I do not think so.
Would the Minister accept that in general it is more important that those in the single-channel areas would be supplied with a service——
This is a completely separate question. We are moving from a particular question to a general debate on reception and I cannot permit it.
I think the Minister is anxious to reply. Has he any sympathy at all for the no-channel areas?
I have pointed out that RTE are improving the situation and that some of the areas which have poor reception at the moment will have better reception. However, because of the rather exceptional difficulties in regard to this area, these specific changes will not help. RTE are trying to provide a new transmitter in the South Tipperary area which to some degree may improve reception in the area referred to, but this transmitter will not be in service until 1981, and even then I cannot say if there will be an improvement.
Is the effect of the Minister's answer that it is possible the people in this area and in others like it will be paying for RTE and RTE 2 at the new increased cost but will not have the benefit of reception of either?
I have explained the position.
Questions Nos. 4 and 5 postponed.