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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Television Relay System Discussions.

Austin Currie

Question:

10 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications whether, having regard to the widespread concern throughout rural Ireland at his proposals to introduce an MMDS television relay system, he has held the discussions with MMDS operators as promised in his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 253 on 20 March 1991; if so, the result of the discussions; if not, whether he will now do so as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the steps he intends to take to ensure real multi-channel choice of high quality for rural and urban dweller alike.

I have arranged to meet the Irish Multi-channel Operators Association who represent MMDS operators on Thursday, 17 May 1991.

I noted that the Minister, in his reply of 20 March, referred not only to the operators he has mentioned but to representatives of other interested parties. Perhaps he will be kind enough to tell the House what he meant by "other interested parties" and what arrangements he has made in that connection.

By that I mean I am prepared to meet with community groups who take up an anti-MMDS stance to discuss their concern, which I do not dismiss; I think we should discuss it with them. I propose to meet such community groups and individuals and committees who take a view contrary to the MMDS viewpoint.

There are many people who up to now have received a very satisfactory service from six channels as, for example, just up the road in County Kildare, and who have the full facility of video recorders and the use of as many TV sets as they like in their house for £20 a year. Does the Minister not agree that it is a matter of very serious concern to them that for a lesser service, where the number of sets they can use will be reduced and their video sets may be useless, they will be asked to pay at least £300 a year, and that he ought to give that matter urgent attention?

My objective in this matter is to achieve real multichannel choice of high quality for every household in the land. I have to take very clear account of technical and legal advice because it is a complex technical area as the Deputy has illustrated. That is why I am meeting the multichannel operators' association and the other community groups. I know the Deputy is aware that the State has signed legally binding contracts. We have awarded franchises to operators all over the country, so there are existing legal commitments of which obviously I have to have a very clear account.

Question No. 11.

Is the Minister aware that the technical advice he refers to seems now to suggest strongly that MMDS to a very large extent will be out of date within three to five years anyway?

The best technical advice available to me and the Department is not in that direction, but I have taken careful note of the Deputy's viewpoint and his stance on this issue and will give them due regard.

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