Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 March 2012
140 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to address the areas (details supplied) that will not receive transmission from RTÉ under the new digital Saorview signal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15881/12]
View answerIssues relating to television coverage in specific areas of the country are an operational matter for RTÉ. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for RTÉ to rollout a digital TV network to the same extent as the analogue TV network. RTÉ has informed my Department that the current analogue TV network covers 98% of the population and that its new digital TV network Saorview will also cover 98% of the population.
RTÉ has developed a website providing information on the Saorview service including coverage information and this is available on its website www.saorview.ie. In addition, RTÉ has developed a new “free-to-air” satellite service unique to Ireland to ensure the RTÉ TV services are available to the remaining 2% of the population. RTÉ is not obliged to provide a satellite service and is doing so on its own initiative. It is my understanding that, with this satellite service, Ireland will have a national TV network covering 100% of the population for the first time.
