Vol. 440 No. 8
15 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will give details of the submission from Cablelink for a price increase to cover the restoration of certain satellite channels in view of his announcement of 2 March 1994 regarding the submission; when a decision is likely to be made by him on the submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The submission in question related to the outcome of negotiations between the Irish Multi-Channel Operators Association and satellite TV companies regarding the prices to be charged for a range of satellite channels. The submission by Cablelink sought approval to charge between £6 and £7 a year for the addition of certain channels.
The submission has since been augmented by the addition of MTV and I have now approved the relevant modest annual price increase. I understand that most of the satellite channels in question are now available again and that a further channel is to be added in the autumn.
