asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of dissatisfaction in West Cork because of poor reception on Radio 1 and the steps he proposes to take to remedy the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West Cork Radio Reception.
25.
(Dublin South-Central): RTE are not aware of specific dissatisfaction with reception of RTE Radio 1 in West Cork. If the Deputy wishes to supply names and address of individual complaints to RTE, they will be happy to investigate their complaints.
It has been suggested to me that RTE 2 is now on VHF and that RTE 1, which was on VHF, is not now on VHF. Is that the situation?
(Dublin South-Central): RTE 1 is operating on the VHF of Radio na Gaeltachta when Radio na Gaeltachta is not using the transmitter.
Is it the situation that RTE 2 is transmitting to the rural areas and taking over the frequency which formerly permitted RTE 1 to reach the rural areas.
(Dublin South-Central): Since the introduction of RTE 2 the authority decided to utilise national VHF for RTE 2. They are now using the Radio na Gaeltachta VHF with the medium wave, which is available throughout the country.
Does the Minister not accept that it is a ridiculous situation to introduce a new radio band which excludes people in rural areas who previously listened to RTE 1?
(Dublin South-Central): RTE 1 is being transmitted on the medium wave. My information is that it is available throughout the country. We are using the VHF of Radio na Gaeltachta for RTE 1.
This affects all remote parts of the country.
A question, Deputy.
Would the Minister not consider that it would be wiser to recommend to RTE that they should continue the service on RTE 1 which was available to West Cork and other remote areas on VHF and that RTE 2 either provide another VHF or transmit on the ordinary medium wave since the medium wave cannot be received in West Cork or the other rural parts of the country?
(Dublin South-Central): That is the decision by the Authority. The Authority deemed it wise to use the national VHF for Radio 2. We have only two VHF frequencies. We have not authority under our international agreement to get an additional frequency. We will be applying for it but before we make any positive move we have to take into consideration the establishment of another authority and other transmissions. All these things would have to be taken into consideration before we make a decision as to when we apply for an additional VHF channel and how it should be applied.
I would suggest to the Minister that it is ridiculous to have this situation in the rural areas.
This is argument.
Would the Minister not accept that it is ridiculous to have RTE 2 coming at the people in rural areas to the exclusion of RTE 1?
(Dublin South-Central): I do not think the Deputy is altogether right in saying it is completely to the exclusion of RTE 1. I know there are pockets throughout the country where it is not available but it is certainly not a general complaint.