asked the Minister for Communications the estimated cost of the provision of the long wave radio service by RTE; if he will approve the proposal from RTE and provide a capital grant for the provision of it; the estimated number of people to be employed on this project; and if studio facilities are available at the RTE radio complex in Donnybrook.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - RTE Long Wave Radio Service.
2.
RTE recently submitted a detailed proposal to establish an additional radio service on the long wave band at an estimated capital cost of £4.25 million. Pre-transmission costs are estimated at £416,000. The service is expected to employ 22 persons and it is proposed that studio facilities would be provided in leased accommodation in Dublin. RTE have not applied for any capital grant assistance for the project. The proposal is under detailed examination at present and a conclusion will be reached as quickly as possible.
I would like to ask the Minister if he would be prepared to give the necessary sanction to RTE to proceed with this very important development? Is the Minister aware that we are losing a very major market of great potential both in Britain and beyond by not having such a service, which could be set up at a reasonable cost? The return on that investment would be well worth while. I would call on the Minister to actively pursue this matter with RTE and that in advance of satellite broadcasting he would launch this radio service which would give our producers, presenters and broadcasters — the best in the world — further opportunities at home to broadcast to Britain and beyond.
As I have already stated, RTE have submitted a very detailed proposal to me in recent times which is the subject of consideration. I have already intimated over the past three years my support in principle for the idea, provided it can be shown to be a viable proposition. That remains the situation. I would very much hope that when the examination of the proposition for a long wave fourth national radio service is completed it will prove to be viable and that we will go ahead with it.