asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that the reception for Radio Telefís Éireann in the Rosscarberry area of County Cork is inadequate; and what steps he proposes to have taken to improve reception.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Reception in Rosscarberry (Cork).
13.
The improvement of reception of Radio Telefís Éireann's programmes is primarily a matter for the Authority. I understand that reception of the television programme in the area referred to by the Deputy is not satisfactory at present but that the erection of additional transposers planned for next year is expected to give the desired improvement.
Is the Minister aware that he gave a somewhat similar answer to a similar question three years ago? At that time the Minister informed the House that this transformer would be erected. Today he tells the House it will be erected next year. Is it not time the Minister took some positive action so far as the district of Rosscarberry is concerned? The people in the district have been suffering from poor reception for a number of years. They have been expecting action for years but it has not been taken. Surely the Minister will agree there is no justification for postponing it again until 1973? I want to know now what the Minister intends to do.
Is the Minister aware of the escalation in tourist traffic in this area and the urgent necessity for doing something about this chronically bad reception? The Minister has had notice of this bad reception ever since television started. The tourist industry is making tremendous strides in the area and one of the things tourists require is this particular amenity.
I fully appreciate the need for improving reception and I made it absolutely clear on my Estimate and in reply to questions that this is a staged programme. The intention is to do as much as possible by stages to provide good reception. Only about two per cent of the total area of the country is affected by bad reception. Surveys have to be conducted by a very expert staff and very often it is extremely difficult to solve a particular problem in a particular area because of the character of the terrain, but everything is being done on a planned basis.
That is what we are being told for the past three or four years.
Surveys have been carried out and transformers have been erected. Reception is improving. The programme to improve reception is proceeding and, as it proceeds, the various areas will be dealt with in due course of time.
Is the Minister aware this is also a problem in Donegal?
The question relates to Cork.
Does the Minister think he will be able to take quick action in Rosscarberry?
I understand it will be reached next year.
Next year! For Heaven's sake, the Minister will not be here at all next year.