The continuing revolution in telecommunications technologies, both satellite and land based, offers a range of opportunities to radio stations to expand their services to the rest of Europe and to other continents. It is solely a matter for RTE or individual local radio stations to decide if they wish to disseminate their services in this way and, if so, to secure the technology or mix of technologies which present the best opportunities taking into account other factors including receiver ownership, copyright implications, terrestrial distribution systems and costs.
With regard to the provision of a short-wave service, I am not convinced, at this stage in the development of telecommunications technology, that short-wave presents the best option for the future, particularly in the context of potential listenership, in view of the costs of providing such a service and the quality deficiencies associated with short-wave transmissions.
I appreciate the Deputy's concern that our radio services should be broadcast as widely as possible to serve Irish people and other interested in Ireland living abroad and I, therefore, welcome the initiatives already taken in this regard.
