asked the Minister for Communications if he will give approval to RTE to extend Cork Local Radio to a full-day service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Local Radio.
9.
A 1986 application from RTE to extend the hours of broadcasting of the Cork service was turned down by my predecessor on 21 May 1986 on the basis that it would be inappropriate to make any decision on the extension of the service until the future format of local radio services generally had become clearer. The position has not changed materially since then except to add that I will be circulating proposals on local radio to the Oireachtas in the current session.
Would the Minister consider the position of the people in outlying parts of Cork and South Kerry who are not getting good reception from RTE Radio 1 and Radio 2? Would the Minister reconsider the extension of Cork Local Radio?
Cork Local Radio operates on an opt-out situation using the same transmitter, so if they are not getting good reception at the moment, the extended hours would not improve it. I will bring it to the attention of RTE that there are areas not receiving the signal as strongly as they would like, and ask them to see if they can improve the signal.