asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware of the very considerable interest amongst Irish emigrants in Britain in sporting and other programmes broadcast by Radio Éireann; and that such persons frequently have great difficulty in receiving broadcasts from Radio Éireann; and whether he will take steps by increasing the power of the present transmitters, by introducing short wave transmitters, or by any other suitable method, to extend the range of Radio Éireann broadcasts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reception of Radio Éireann in Britain.
9.
I am aware of the position referred to by the Deputy. Within the past two years, as a result of improvements in the earth system of the Athlone transmitter, the strength of the Radio Éireann signal in Great Britain has been substantially increased. Reception is of course subject to interference caused by other stations operating on the same or adjacent wavelengths. I regret to say that no further improvement is practicable at present. In this connection I would refer to what I said in my opening speech on the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill, 1963, when I was dealing with the problem of improving sound broadcasting coverage—columns 1191-1193 of the Official Report dated 18th February, 1964.