Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 5

Written Answers. - Television Reception.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

183 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she has to put arrangements in place to improve the quality of RTE services for the residents of the Clonkeen area of Killarney, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27965/98]

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

The issue raised by the Deputy is the day-to-day responsibility of the RTE Authority 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 servies.

With regard to television services, RTE informs me that it is extremely difficult to provide good quality television reception in this area. RTE has advised me that it has carried out a general survey of the area and the only solution is the provision of four or five low-power transmitters to serve a maximum of 30 houses. RTE points out that, unfortunately, Clonkeen is not in its capital budget plan for 1999. With regard to radio services, RTE informs me that radio reception in the Clonkeen area of Killarney is satisfactory.