Vol. 513 No. 3
102 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress, if any, made to improve the RTE reception to audiences in Northern Ireland; if RTE can obtain permission to place new transmitters in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2197/00]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 301 and 302 on 2 February 1999. Solutions to the interference problems mentioned in that reply have been identified and implemented. I understand from RTE that the RTE transmitters at Clermont Carn in County Louth have been operating on increased power for a number of months without causing difficulty. RTE estimate that reception of its television services has increased to at least 70% of the population of Northern Ireland from roughly 30% which was the level when the current efforts to secure clearance for the increased coverage began. I am hopeful that final political clearance can be obtained for the increased power at Clermont Carn in the near future.
The suggestion by the Deputy regarding the establishment of RTE transmitters in Northern Ireland would have to be pursued at inter-governmental level and is not under consideration.
