asked the Minister for Communications if he will approve an application by RTE to provide a long wave radio service on 254 KHz allocated to the country by international agreement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Long Wave Radio Service.
7.
A proposal from RTE to provide a long wave radio service on 254 KHz on the long wave frequency band is one of a series of outstanding broadcasting matters awaiting finalisation. I have not yet given up hope of agreement on all these issues but it would be wrong to say I am optimistic.
Will the Minister confirm that an application has been made in conjunction with Radio Luxembourg for a joint service on the frequency allocated? Does the Minister agree that this is a very appropriate area of development for RTE as opposed to local radio should RTE be thinking in terms of international broadcasting? There are very fine broadcasts, producers and technicians in RTE and the Minister should give the green light to the station to proceed with the development of long wave radio broadcasting on a frequency which was allocated to Ireland in 1977, in advance of direct satellite broadcasting. I appeal to him to approve the application by RTE and to give them the opportunity to expand services. The Minister must realise the great potential for Irish broadcasters in having a new dimension given to them.
This proposal is one of many outstanding broadcasting issues, all of which I have been dealing with and trying to resolve. I have not given up on those efforts but, contrary to what Deputy Leyden said on the radio this morning, I will not panic or be rushed into a deal because I have a duty to ensure that whatever decisions are taken in relation to broadcasting will stand the test of time.
Can the Minister say whether a decision will be made by the end of December in this regard? Quite a lot of preparatory work has gone into the submission by RTE and they have very good grounds for——
Deputy, you are incorrigible and I have given up all hope of getting you to comply with anything.
You might be delaying matters also.
I do not think Deputy Leyden's question requires any further clarification.
Will the Minister set a deadline for making a decision, say, 31 December?
I cannot give any Deputy Leyden said I was trying to rush things and to clear up everything before Fianna Fáil came back to power. He is now asking me to do the opposite and to set deadlines. I will make those decisions as soon as I can. I am very anxious to do so but I will not rush things. I would prefer to do nothing rather than rush things and make mistakes.