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Chair of Oireachtas Communications Committee welcomes return of Longwave radio service

17 Oct 2019, 14:58

The Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Hildegarde Naughton TD, has welcomed confirmation from RTÉ that the Longwave (LW) radio service will return, tomorrow, Friday, 18 October.

The Longwave service has been unavailable since 7th September this year as RTÉ undertook “significant remedial work” on transmission equipment to ensure the continuance of the service for at least another two years.

Deputy Naughton TD said: “On behalf of the Committee I welcome confirmation received from RTÉ that the Longwave service will return on Friday. Longwave radio is a hugely important service for our diaspora, particularly those living in the UK, who rely on the service to keep in touch and up to date on Irish news and current affairs.”

RTÉ rolled back on plans, announced in 2014, to end its Longwave radio service following a campaign by the Irish diaspora. The Joint Oireachtas Communications Committee had also engaged with RTE management over recent years to ensure the service continued.

Deputy Naughton added: “RTÉ committed earlier this year to maintaining the service following engagement with the Committee. Following the temporary suspension of the service, to allow the works to be carried out, I am pleased that the service has resumed and listeners in the UK and beyond can be assured that service will continue for a minimum of two years. We will continue to work with RTÉ to ensure Longwave has a viable future.”

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