Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 5

Written Answers. - County Kerry Television Reception.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

290 Mrs. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the failure of RTE to provide a reception in respect of RTE 1 and 2 in the Droumanasig/Bonane area of Kenmare, County Kerry; the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that this area is provided with a proper service.

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

Seo ábhar a bhaineann go príomha le RTE.

RTE is aware that residents in the Droumanasig/Bonane area of Kenmare have been experiencing TV reception difficulties. At present service is provided by two community-owned TV self-help schemes, one in Droumanasig and the other in Bonane. These schemes were grant-aided by RTE. Both areas are very low in population density and extremely difficult to service with quality TV signals due to the nature of the local topography.

RTE report that the self-help schemes have fallen into a state of very poor repair giving degraded signals. Notwithstanding that the systems are community owned, RTE has undertaken, as a first step, to upgrade the Droumanasig system which covers the higher population area of approximately 70 homes. This work is now in hand and RTE report that local residents have been kept fully informed. It is expected to have the improvements carried out by the end of May next. RTE also proposes to assist with improving signal quality in the case of the Bonane system.