asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the people of Carlingford and Omeath can expect an improvement in their reception of RTE.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - RTE Reception .
7.
: RTE plan to proceed this year with the installation of a transposer to serve Carlingford. They have no immediate plans for improvement of reception in the Omeath area.
: What exactly are the plans? Have there been any local arrangements made in relation to it?
: The improvement of television reception is primarily a matter for RTE but they accept that, due to local topography, Carlingford does not receive adequate reception from the existing transmitters. RTE intend to proceed this year with the provision of a transposer at Greenore to improve reception in Carlingford. Frequencies which will be used as the transposer requires will be coordinated internationally. This is in hand and it is expected that the frequencies will be available for use very shortly. Provision of the transposer station will then proceed. RTE have no immediate plans to improve reception in the Omeath area. There are a number of relatively small areas where reception of RTE television is less than satisfactory because of geographical and topographical features. RTE are proceeding to improve coverage in these areas as quickly as resources allow but they cannot say at present when they might be able to effect an improvement in the Omeath area.
: This is very bad news for the Omeath area. I am sorry to hear the Minister say he has no immediate plans. He should apply himself to this problem straight away.
: This is a matter primarily for RTE. There are many such areas in the country. RTE are proceeding as quickly as they can to eliminate the black spots which exist.
: But there is no area as historical as Omeath.