asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the legislation, if any, that will be introduced to stop Citizen Band operators, especially home based operators, from interfering to a growing extent with television reception in all areas of Cork city, having regard to the fact that viewers will have to pay the proposed increase in television licence fees.
Written Answers. - Television Reception.
378.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply on 20 November 1980 to a question by Deputy Deasy on the position regarding proposals to legalise Citizens' Band Radios. In deciding on the type of CB equipment to be licensed I will be ensuring, as far as possible, that unacceptable interference is not caused to television viewers or to other authorised users of the radio spectrum.
379.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when he intends to grant a licence to allow multi-channel television in Cork city and surrounding areas now that viewers in Dungarvan and Waterford city have multi-channel reception; and if he will make a statement on the up-to-date position in the matter.
My department do not license multi-channel cable television systems in any area unless they have satisfactory evidence that multi-channel signals capable of providing reliable reception on a cable system are generally available off-air, using conventional means, in the area to be served. They have no such evidence in respect of Cork. The question of holding a competition for an exclusive licence for the provision of a cable system there will be considered if evidence is produced, from tests conducted over a reasonable period, to show that multi-channel signals of this kind are available in Cork. My department would be glad to outline to anyone interested the type of tests which should be carried out and the type of evidence required in order to warrant the holding of the competition.
380.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will guarantee that the blank areas of Tivoli and Lower Glanmire Road and other blank areas of Cork city will be covered by the Patrick's Hill booster for the reception of RTE 1 and RTE 2.
381.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reasons for the delay in having a booster installed to provide reception of RTE 2 in the Tivoli, Lower Road area of Cork city, and the Riverstown and Glanmire areas near Cork; and if viewers in these areas can expect to have perfect reception before Christmas, 1980.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 381 together.
RTE say that modifications to the transposer at Patrick's Hill (Collins Barracks) will improve reception for many viewers in Cork city and that, subject to the delivery of the necessary equipment, this work is expected to be completed before Christmas. These modifications are not intended to provide improved service to viewers in areas of difficult reception in the Lower Glanmire Road and Tivoli areas although it is likely that some improvement will occur in these areas. In this connection I refer the Deputy to my reply on 29 April 1980 to his question regarding Lower Glanmire Road. RTE say that further detailed studies will have to be undertaken before they will be in a position to improve reception in those remaining areas where reception is less than satisfactory.
In regard to the Riverstown and Glanmire areas, RTE say that since the introduction of RTE 2 they have been systematically introducing the second channel as quickly as their resources permit and that, subject to the satisfactory outcome of engineering test transmissions, RTE 2 will be available in these areas before Christmas.