Vol. 531 No. 1
129 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress made to improve RTE reception to Northern Ireland audiences; the improvements which are required at Clermont Carn transmitter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5012/01]
Efforts have been ongoing for years to increase the availability of our broadcasting services in the North by upping power northwards from RTE transmitters in Clermont Carn in County Louth. After much discussion and negotiation between Irish and British officials, late last year, the power of the transmitters was increased to a stage where RTE estimate that access to television services originating on this side of the Border had increased to at least 70% of the population of Northern Ireland. There was approximately 30% level when the current efforts to secure increased coverage began. I am advised that further work at the transmitters at Clermont Carn is unlikely to lead to further significant improvement in reception in Northern Ireland.
