Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 6

Written Answers. - Cable Television Provision Delay.

Donal Carey

Question:

155 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Communications if he has reviewed the long delay which has occurred in the provision of cable television in the Ennis area of County Clare; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who applied to that company for MMDS service early this year were given a very negative response; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Communications (Mr. Burke)

Westward Cables Limited, Limerick, the cable licensee for Ennis, reported that the company was ready to begin cabling as far back as September 1988. They could not proceed because of a poor response to a canvass for subscribers in the town which in turn was caused by the availability of illegally rebroadcasted television signals. My reply to a similar question in columns 2402 and 2403 of the Official Report for 7 March 1989, Volume 387, No. 10 refers.

The company now report that cabling of Ennis will begin in four to six weeks and that they are having discussions with Ennis Urban District Council so that the minimum disruption will be caused during this operation.

Persons from Ennis who applied for MMDS would have received a negative response as it is the company's intention to provide cable rather than MMDS service in the town.

At the beginning of the year, the company were at a very early stage in planning the introduction of MMDS service and may have found it difficult to give definite responses to requests for service. The company is now in a position to deal more positively with applications for service.