Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Oct 1997

Vol. 482 No. 2

Written Answers - Television Reception.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

24 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has satisfied herself in relation to the extent of reception of Teilifís na Gaeilge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17331/97]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

I refer the Deputy to my written reply to Question No. 212 of 7 October 1997 regarding reception of Teilifís na Gaeilge.

At present, Teilifís na Gaeilge operates as an RTE service under the Broadcasting Authority Acts, 1960 to 1993.

As the Deputy is aware, RTE was given responsibility by Government of constructing the technical infrastructure necessary for the establishment of Teilifís na Gaeilge as a separate national service and, pending the establishment of separate legal structures for Teilifís na Gaeilge, of assuming responsibility for staff, programmes and operation of the service. Accordingly, the issue raised by the Deputy is the day to day responsibility of the RTE Authority on the advice of Comhairle Theilifís na Gaeilge and I have no statutory function in the matter.

However, in accordance with long-standing custom, I am prepared to furnish to the House information supplied by RTE in response to questions relating specifically to improvements in reception of national broadcasting services.

RTE informs me that Teilifís na Gaeilge is available to more than 95 per cent of the population on the UHF Band. RTE estimates that about three quarters of the population can receive that service using their existing receive equipment and that some 20 per cent would require a new UHF aerial if they wish to receive service.