Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 10

Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - Maynooth (Kildare) TV Service.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

86 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications the extent to which piped TV service is available in Maynooth, County Kildare; whether it is proposed to extend the service in the area with particular reference to requirements on the northeastern side of the Royal Canal; when she expects the formalities relating to this extension of service to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The provision of cable service in any particular area is a matter for the relevant licensed cable operator. Cable Management Ireland Limited hold the licence for the provision of cable television service to Maynooth. I understand that service is available in almost the whole town, the main exception being Leinster Park housing estate to the northeast of the Royal Canal. The company report that permission has been sought from the local authority to run cables underground and for road crossings. The company intend to provide service to Leinster Park before Christmas, subject to the receipt of the necessary permissions.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

87 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications the present cost per household of piped TV in Maynooth, County Kildare; the extent the cost of the service has increased in the past three years; if such costs are in line with inflation or other factors; if further cost increases/reductions are contemplated; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

Charges for cable service are primarily a matter for the relevant licensed cable operator. Under the terms of the Wireless Telegraphy (Wired Broadcast Relay Licence) Regulations, 1974, as amended, cable operators require my prior approval for their charges in respect of the basic service supplied. Cable Management Ireland Limited (CMI) hold the licence for the provision of cable television service in Maynooth. The current annual rental charge, which was approved on 7 May 1992, is £76.5 including VAT.

Prior to May 1992, the approved rental charge for the Maynooth cable system was £50.80 which was approved in August 1985. The increase granted to Cable Management Limited in 1992 took account,inter alia, of an increase in the Consumer Price Index of over 20 per cent since the previous increase approval, local authority charges and a considerable investment by the licensee in upgrading the system. The increase in charges approved in 1992 also took into account payments of copyright fees to the rightholders in the programmes relayed by cable companies. Following an agreement reached between rightholders and many of the cable companies in 1991, cable companies in general were granted approval for a compensatory increase in charges as the payments were a new cost factor. The increase approved in respect of copyright charges was designed not to benefit the cable companies.

Connection charges, exclusive of VAT, in respect of all cable systems licensed to CMI, including Maynooth, are as follows:

Terraced House	£35.00
Semi-Detached	£50.00
Detached	£70.00

These charges were approved in March 1991 and are considered reasonable for modern day cable systems. They reflect the fact that the company are carrying out a major upgarding of their licensed systems including the Maynooth system.

No application for a variation in charges is being considered at present in relation to cable service in Maynooth.