asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will outline the steps taken to ensure that television and radio licence-holders get good reception.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - TV and Radio Reception.
7.
Radio Telefís Éireann chose the optimum positions for its main television transmitters at Kippure, Truskmore, Mount Leinster, Maghera and Mullaghanish, and 13 satellite transposers have been provided to cover the more populous areas which were not getting a good service from those transmitters. The Authority claims that television coverage now extends to 98 per cent of the country. The question of providing further transposers for some of the remaining areas of poor reception is under consideration by the Authority. Viewers in areas where reception is not entirely satisfactory can get a better signal by ensuring that their receiving sets are properly adjusted and that they have proper and adequate aerials for the location.
Radio Telefís Éireann has supplemented its medium wave sound service from Athlone, Dublin and Cork by a VHF/FM service from transmitters which are co-sited with the main television transmitters at Kippure, Maghera, Mount Leinster, Mullaghanish and Truskmore. This network provides sound broadcasting coverage in most areas where it was hitherto unsatisfactory. Satellite VHF transmitters will be provided at four other sites where the sound signal is not at present adequate.
Two sets of regulations governing the control of interference with television and radio reception have been made. They cover interference caused by small electric motors and ignition apparatus forming part of an internal combustion engine. The Advisory Committee on Interference is studying ways and means of dealing with other sources of interference.
Radio Telefís Éireann has an Interference Investigation Section which examines complaints of interference made by viewers and listeners. In general the section is getting the co-operation of manufacturers and of the radio and electrical trade in dealing with this problem.