Vol. 356 No. 2
asked the Minister for Communications the reason a cable television licence for the provision of cable television to the town of Clonmel was not awarded to the local applicant; the detailed assessments that were made of the respective applicants when selecting the applicant in this case; and the fees being proposed by the successful applicant in relation to installation fees and annual rental.
13.
asked the Minister for Communications the reason a cable television licence for the provision of cable television to the town of Clonmel was not awarded to the local applicant.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
No licence has yet been issued for provision of a cable television service in Clonmel. Suir Nore Relays Ltd., Thurles, have, however, been informed that it is proposed to grant them a licence subject to certain stipulated conditions being fulfilled.
The proposals received as a result of the public invitation were assessed from both technical and financial aspects. The proposals by the local firm in Clonmel were regarded as less satisfactory than those submitted by Suir Nore Relays Ltd., being technically deficient and the installation and annual rental charges being higher.
The installation charge quoted by Suir Nore Relays Ltd. is £60 and the annual rental £73.80.
Obviously, if these conditions are satisfied Suir Nore Relays Limited will be awarded the licence. Is it the general policy of the Department to ensure monopolism in regard to the granting of such licences, because the company concerned have already been awarded licences for Kilkenny, Thurles, Cashel and Tipperary town but they have not commenced work on a cable television system in those towns? Is the Minister aware of the experience of the company in regard to the provision of cable television systems and the method of trunk cabling they intend providing?
With regard to the Deputy's question about monopolism my reply is, "no". All things being equal I would prefer to give the franchise to local contractors, but in this case four applications for the licences were received and two of them did not get beyond the first stage. The other two were considered but the local application was found to be technically deficient and dearer. Really, I did not have any choice. Since the letter of intent to Suir Nore Relays was issued I received a deputation, led by Deputy Seán Treacy and the Mayor of Clonmel. As a result of those representations I am reviewing the matter to see if a change of mind would be warranted or if we can do anything to ensure the speedy cabling of Clonmel. I am very conscious of the fact that delays have occurred in cabling contracts.
I accept that the Minister gracefully received a deputation from the area some weeks ago and I should like to know if he will give serious consideration to awarding the contract to the Clonmel company. Local people would be employed and the control of the installation of the system would be Clonmel based. I have no doubt that the local company would instal a reliable system without any undue delay. As has been pointed out, the other firm have a number of other contracts but have not commenced work. The revenue involved in the cabling system would remain in Clonmel if the local company was granted the licence. The Minister should bear in mind the representations of local Members, the mayor and members of Clonmel Corporation and award the licence to the Clonmel firm. In fairness it should be said that they are a well known concern and are capable of providing an excellent service for the local people.
I note what the Deputy has said but I do not think anybody would thank me if after granting a licence the service turned out to be technically deficient, as my technical advisers have informed me about this case. Deputies will be aware that problems exist in some towns where people who were granted the franchise introduced a system that was below technical standards. There are ongoing problems in regard to signals in those towns. If that happened in the case of Clonmel I do not think I would be well thought of.
I am grateful to the Minister for his sensitivity in respect of the deputation he received which was led by the Mayor of Clonmel and representing the wishes of all the people of the town. Will the Minister afford the Clonmel company an opportunity of meeting his officials so that they may defend themselves against the accusation made against them in regard to their ability to perform this job? I should be grateful if the Minister would arrange for his officials to meet the Clonmel company at an early date so that they can clarify various aspects of the contract and thereby enable the company to maintain their good name and integrity in this area. Will the Minister have regard to the wishes of the people of Clonmel who will be paying for the service? Will the Minister have regard to the nature of the goodwill which operates in such a delicate area? Will the Minister ensure that the Clonmel company are involved to some extent in the provision of cable television in their own town? The local company would provide badly needed employment compared to a company that has contracts for the provision of cable television in many towns in the south east but, according to all the evidence, has failed to do any worthwhile work.
I should like to make it clear that there is no doubt about the integrity of the company concerned. What is in question is the technical information they supplied to the Department. That was found to be deficient. I am sure they are an excellent company and I am conscious of the unanimity of local repersentatives in regard to this. I told the deputation that I am examining the matter, and I will be in touch with those involved as soon as possible.
Will the Minister agree to the request of Members from the area to meet the company to clear their good name?
Their good name is not in question. Deputy Treacy requested that I should arrange a meeting between my officials and representatives of the company and I will be happy to do so.
When arriving at his decision I hope the Minister will take into consideration the viability of the project in the largest inland town in the country. He should note that in 1983 this licence was granted to a company from Dungarvan who threw up the invitation. The scheme would have been beneficial to the people of the town. It is more likely that the project will go ahead expeditiously if the licence is granted to the Clonmel company.
I should like to assure Deputies that all these matters were considered. In the final analysis I could not award the franchise to anybody who, according to my technical advisers, produced technically deficient information.
Why is it that the Minister is giving the monopoly to another company?
Has the Minister entered into a definite contract with Suir Nore Relays?
As a former Minister of State in this Department I am sure the Deputy is aware that a letter of intent is issued first and on the basis of that letter more detailed submissions are sent to the Department. Planning permission must be obtained before a licence is granted.
