Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 1

Written Answers. - Overseas Television Signals Reception.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

24 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications whether he will agree to allow those who avail of deflectors to receive overseas television signals to continue to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mr. S. Brennan)

This matter has been raised a number of times over the years. As has been indicated in replies to similar questions, the basic problem with illegal rebroadcasting or deflector systems is that we do not have sufficient UHF broadcasting spectrum available to us under relevant international treaties to enable a satisfactory choice of channels to be made available on a country-wide basis and cater for national or regional broadcasting developments which may occur.

Accordingly successive Governments have decided that it would not be in the national interest to license deflector systems. While I have no wish to deprive anybody of a choice of television viewing, the illegal systems will have to close down as alternative legal services — cable or MMDS — become available.