asked the Minister for Communications the steps, if any, he is taking to prevent poor RTE reception in south and west Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South and West Kerry RTE Reception.
1.
This is primarily a matter for Radio Telefís Éireann. RTE state they are aware that there are problems with television reception in south and west Kerry which have been aggravated in recent times by the introduction of the Garda radio communications system. RTE are currently co-operating with the gardaí in an effort to resolve these problems.
RTE state that they will be glad to investigate individual cases of poor reception if they are supplied with the names and addresses of viewers who are experiencing interference.
Is the Minister aware that there are pockets in south and west Kerry where television reception is extremely poor because of radio interference since the introduction of the Garda radio communications system? In view of this, will he ask his Department to investigate this matter? Otherwise we will be required to get the names and addresses of a large number of householders in each area.
My impression was that the interference is not as extensive as the Deputy says, but I will draw RTE's attention to the Deputy's remarks and ask them to carry out a full investigation into television reception in those areas. It is the duty of RTE to provide all parts of the country with good television reception, and I am sure they will make every effort to put right whatever has gone wrong since the introduction of the Garda radio communications system.
Will the Minister tell us if there is a cash problem in RTE? Will he ask the Department to provide interceptors free of charge to the householders whose television reception is being interered with?
As far as I know, there is no cash problem in RTE. In keeping with all the State companies under my responsibility with the exception of one, RTE are in a very good financial position. I am glad to report that RTE show a very substantial profit for the most recent financial year. I would want notice of the second part of the Deputy's question.
The areas affected are Cloghane, Castlegregory and Camp——
A question please, Deputy.
I attended meetings in those areas which RTE representatives attended with the view to improving television reception. The people were told they would have to contribute to the purchase of a booster which RTE would put into the area. In future local people should not have to contribute to the purchase of a booster, especially when the interference is caused by equipment used by the Garda.
I will refer the Deputy's remarks to RTE but I repeat it is their responsibility, not mine, to provide television reception. I cannot get involved in specific reception problems, although I am concerned that people should have good reception especially when they are paying their licence fees.
If the Minister is making representations to RTE, would he ensure that the booster is provided, especially on the third Sunday in September of each year.
Before calling the next question I would like the House to know that following a meeting of the Committee on Procedure yesterday evening I am satisfied that it is the universal feeling of the House that sufficient progress is not being made at Question Time and that more questions should be answered. I am satisfied I have the prayers of the Whips——
A dubious advantage.
——because that is as far as they are prepared to go, in support of any action I take to speed up Question Time. What I propose to do is to limit the number of supplementaries and to try and eliminate what I call preambles, but which are really speeches, before questions. I ask the support of the House for this. I know I have the support of the Whips and I appreciate they cannot do much more than tell me I have their support. I am now asking for the support of the House. I am calling Question No. 2.