Vol. 476 No. 2
103 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht when the exchange of programming availability regarding the British Broadcasting Corporation in the south and RTE in the north will be ready; if he will give details of the current progress on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6589/97]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the attempts to bring about improvements to the reception of RTE television and Teilifís na Gaeilge in Northern Ireland. The Deputy is aware, I am sure, that UK television services are available throughout the country by means of off-air reception, cable and MMDS.
On this basis, I refer the Deputy to my replies to previous questions on this matter, in particular, my reply to Question No. 88 of 19 December 1996, columns 758 to 759 of the Official Report for that day refers. As I stated on that day, the UK Secretary of State for National Heritage has informed that, subject to the resolution of certain practical and financial issues, she is favourable to the proposed increase on a phased basis in the power northwards at the Clermont Carn transmitter site in County Louth.
The work is ongoing on these matters involving officials of my Department, the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications, RTE and their UK counterparts and I am hopeful of an early successful outcome.
