Television Reception

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Questions (637, 643)

Tom Fleming

Question:

637. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will intervene and ensure that all households in County Kerry receive the quality television reception they deserve at the earliest possible date; has his attention been drawn to the fact that many households in County Kerry are now without a television reception due to the digital switchover to Saorview; if he will address this very difficult situation for hundreds of households in the county; his views on it being unfair to proceed with the switchover without in the first instance guaranteeing that all households would receive coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47978/12]

Tom Fleming

Question:

643. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide statistics regarding the progress of Saorview since its introduction on 24 October 2012 and in relation to areas of County Kerry where the existing TV transmission masts were decommissioned on that date; the number of residents in those areas where Saorview is not functioning, and saorsat option is on viable due to weather factors; if he will, in conjunction with RTÉ, address the deficiencies in the infrastructure and upgrade a retrofit of existing masts in these problematic areas. [48116/12]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I propose to take Questions Nos. 637 and 643 together.

As I explained to the Deputy in my reply to his question of 20th September, RTÉ has built, owns and controls the SAORVIEW TV network and is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of that network. This includes information on transmitter sites being used. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides that the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ.

The SAORVIEW network is complete and is available to c. 98% of the population. It must be understood that it is impossible to cover 100% of the population by terrestrial means. Reasons for this include local topography for example. For technological reasons this is not going to change.

Furthermore, as also explained to the Deputy, I have been informed by RTÉNL that SAORVIEW has delivered a significant improvement in terrestrial coverage in both geographical and population coverage in County Kerry as set out in the following tables:

Geographical

Channel	Analogue Coverage	SAORVIEW Coverage	Increase
RTÉ One	75 % area	87%	12%
RTÉ Two	75% area	87%	12%
TV3	40% area	87%	47%
TG4	64% area	87%	23%

Population

Channel	Analogue Coverage	SAORVIEW Coverage	Increase
RTÉ One	90% population	95%	5%
RTÉ Two	90% population	95%	5%
TV3	44% population	95%	51%
TG4	75% population	95%	20%

In relation to SAORSAT in Co. Kerry, RTÉNL has organised training for installers. On October 1st ten installers attended a training course in Kerry. The course was open to any installer and the ones that attended were from areas such as Firies, Killorglin, Kenmare, Killarney, Cahersiveen, Beaufort, Waterville and Castleisland. It was demonstrated how SAORSAT works, the best dish type to use, how to fix the dish correctly and how to point it in the correct direction. On 22 October RTÉNL provided a demonstration of SAORSAT to about 60 attendees in Annascaul, County Kerry. Initial feedback from the meeting was positive. Should installers in Kerry have any difficulties installing SAORSAT, they should contact RTÉNL directly and RTÉNL will arrange the necessary training. Further information on SAORSAT is available on www.saorview.ie and www.rtenl.ie.