Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 2

Written Answers. - Broadcasting Licence.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

255 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the position in relation to the broadcasting licence which enables the radio station Atlantic 252 to broadcast on the long wave; to whom the licence has been granted; the date on which the licence commenced; the duration of the licence; the expiry date of the current licence; when the licence is due for renewal; the process to be gone through before renewal; the length of period in advance of the renewal date a decision will be made in view of the timescale required by the planning needs of any station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4229/96]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

Atlantic 252 operates under the broadcasting licence currently held by RTÉ. This was granted by the then Minister for Communications on 31 March, 1989, and will expire on 31 March, 1996. RTÉ was subsequently informed that the current arrangement regarding Atlantic 252 would be continued until April 1999.

Following the separation of functions between my own Department and that of the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, my role in this matter is to issue a broadcasting transmission licence, and, in the case of RTÉ and Atlantic 252, this will be done shortly. As to the longer term use of the long wave band by Atlantic 252 following 1999, any decision by me would be made in the context of good frequency management, but would take account of the views of my colleague the Minister for Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht.