Mary O'Rourke
Question:28 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the practical and political progress, if any, which has been made in ensuring reception for RTÉ throughout Northern Ireland. [25041/96]
Written Answers. - Television Reception.
As regards the background to this issue, I refer to my reply to the Deputy on 25 September last (Cols 97 and 98 of the Official Report of the day refers).
In the meantime, the joint technical report on ways of overcoming any problems of interference has been given a favourable response by the Secretary of State for National Heritage. The outstanding practical and financial issues are being addressed by officials in the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications and RTE as a matter of urgency. I understand that the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht has indicated to Secretary of State Bottomley that RTE is prepared to meet the agreed engineering costs arising from the proposals.
I can assure the Deputy that I and my colleagues in Government will continue to give priority to this issue and will take all the necessary steps to achieve full reciprocal access to each other's broadcasting services, North and South.