asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the arrangements being made to improve the quality of UHF television reception on the north side of Cork city.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork TV and Radio Reception.
5.
RTE say that television coverage in the Cork city area has been improved in recent times by the completion of the transposer station at Collins Barracks. RTE are aware of reception difficulties with RTE 2 on the north side of Cork and are currently studying ways by which reception can be improved.
Is the Minister aware of a dispute which has been going on for three or four years between his Department and RTE which is preventing the setting up of a microwave link to the area? What steps are being taken to resolve this dispute?
I understand that the provision of the microwave link would not do anything to remedy what the Deputy suggests in his question. I understand that any difference of opinion regarding the microwave link has been resolved. Reception of RTE 1 and RTE 2 on UHF has been improved through the completion of a transposer at Collins Barracks. There are complaints about RTE 2 in the Tivoli area and extension of coverage to that area is being studied at present.
The Minister said there was an improvement in recent times. Would the Minister be more specific and say what is meant by "recent times"? What proposals are there to improve reception in Riverstown and that area?
RTE are studying technical ways of improving coverage of RTE 2 in the areas mentioned by the Deputy. I do not have precise technical details of what they propose to do. They are taking technical steps necessary to secure good coverage.
The Minister did not answer my question in relation to the dispute.
Deputy Reynolds will answer that for the Deputy.
As I indicated, that dispute has been resolved. The provision of the microwave link will not solve the problem in Cork——
Will the Minister——
I am sorry, I have already allowed the Deputy a supplementary.
It was not answered.
I am not responsible for the Minister's replies.
I want to know why the Minister did not answer it.
I did answer it.
I am calling the next Question.
Would the Minister be more specific about "recent times"?
Since the installation of the transposer at Collins Barracks, Cork.
6.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the arrangements being made to improve the quality of VHF radio reception on the north side of Cork city.
RTE say that at the present time they do not propose making any change to the existing VHF radio coverage of Cork city.