asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will take whatever action is open to him, including if necessary the introduction of legislation, to enable RTE to extend transmission of their programmes in the Northern Ireland area.
348.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Transmissions to Northern Ireland.
347.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if in view of the weakness of television reception from RTE in the Six County area he will consider setting up a series of booster station along the border area to give the Six Counties total coverage; and if he will make a general policy statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 348 together.
Reception in the Six Counties of RTE's sound programmes from the Athlone transmitter is generally satisfactory. In addition, RTE's VHF transmissions are receivable over a large part of the area. Concerning television, RTE's signals cross into the Six Counties with much the same effectiveness in most areas as BBC's and UTV's signals coming in along the east coast here. RTE's programmes are receivable over a large part of the Six Counties apart from places shadowed by mountains, but satisfactory reception is possible in most cases only if viewers erect special "fringe" type aerials for the purpose as is done by viewers here who wish to receive external programmes. I fully share the Deputies' desire to improve the quality of reception of RTE programmes and I will do what I can to secure maximum improvement.
Has the Minister considered having consultations with the UK Government on this matter? I understand that it is the Minister's policy to discourage the provision of aerials for reception of BBC and UTV television here. Is there any possibility of doing a deal under which both Govvernments would be receptive to allowing the other's station free access?
I cannot consider that yet.