asked the Minister for Communications the number of applications which he has received for licences to operate the proposed MMDS system; if granted, if they will be sufficient to ensure that the entire country will then be covered by either cable or microwave systems for television signal distribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Television Signal Distribution.
1.
My Department have received a total of 42 applications for MMDS licences. On the basis of the preliminary examination of these applications I can say at this stage that I am confident that the proposals received will constitute the basis for a country-wide transmission system.
I am glad to hear that the applications to date will ultimately result in nationwide coverage. That was one of the main points the Minister underlined when he introduced this system — to extend multi-channel viewing to the rest of the country. I hope the applications materialise into a country-wide network. When does the Minister expect that licences will be issued and the MMDA system brought into operation so that viewers in areas that do not have multi-channel will be able to receive it?
As soon as possible. The position is that I have to make an order and that order is being drafted at present by the Attorney General. The 42 applications that have been received are being considered in relation to their technical aspects, their interface capacity and compatibility generally. It is a very detailed process because we want to make sure that the successful applicants have the full technical capacity that they claim in their applications. I am very pleased with the level and quality of the applications which have been received so far.
The Minister undertook some time ago in the House to publish an explanatory leaflet, particularly dealing with the health aspects associated with the MMDS system. He will be aware that much legitimate concern was expressed on behalf of certain members of the community about the radiation and health hazards associated with this proposed system. He understood that that in turn could well give rise to difficulties when planning permission was sought for these installations. Does he intend to publish an explanatory memorandum that will address that issue, and if so, when?
Question No. 9 on the Order Paper today deals with that matter.
In considering these applications has the Minister studied to what extent the commercial success of an enterprise which I recall he suggested could cost as much as £300 million to put in place——
It was the Deputy who suggested £300 million.
I think the Minister suggested £300 per household and he was talking about a coverage that would have included well over half of the households in the country. Therefore the amount involved would certainly be £200 million. To what extent is the commercial success of this enterprise dependent on a very high percentage take-up of the population to the offer of this service?
Obviously it is hoped that there would be tremendous interest in securing the widest possible level of choice. This has been evident in those urban areas that have been easily cabled. There has been a very high take-up in those areas. What we want to do now is to remove the barriers between urban and rural Ireland and to provide opportunities for people in rural Ireland to have the multi-channel choice. As the Deputy is well aware, it is the system to be used for the transmission of the national independent television service and I have no doubt that the people of Ireland will want to receive that as soon as possible. I have no doubt that there will be a very high take-up in the areas. It is a matter for the commercial operators to encourage people and to pitch their licence fees at a level which will be attractive to the people.