asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the poor quality of RTE reception in the Drimoleague, Roscarbery and Leap areas of County Cork; and what steps are proposed to improve reception in the near future.
Ceisteanna—Questions, Oral Answers. - Cork Television Reception.
101.
The improvement of reception of RTE's programmes is primarily a matter for the authority.
I understand from the authority that although they had planned for the erection next year of additional transposers to improve reception in the areas in question, they now find that it will be difficult if not impossible to do so within the capital resources likely to be available to them and that it will probably be 1971 before the necessary improvement can be made.
(Cavan): The authority can have all the authority but no money.
102.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that BBC television reception is unsatisfactory in Cork city and surrounding areas; and if he will arrange for a booster station which will give adequate reception on all channels.
The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes" and to the second part, so far as it relates to transmissions from outside the State, "No". I am advised that reception of RTE programmes in the areas referred to is generally satisfactory.
Does the Minister fore see circumstances when we enter the Common Market——
That would be a separate question.
No—in which he would be in a position to provide means by which the BBC would be received reasonably well in this country?
This question concerns Cork city.
I am asking——
(Cavan): Surely cork city is in this country?
Forget about the BBC until the whole country gets proper reception.
I fully appreciate Deputy Molloy's attitude but, in addition—I support him in his claim that RTE should be improved—I am asking the Minister if he foresees circumstances, when we enter the Common Market, when he will be in a position to provide means by which the BBC will be received in this country with reasonable clarity of reception?
That is a different question.
It is a matter for the BBC.
(Cavan): Is it a fact that, because the Minister and his Parliamentary Secretary cannot muzzle the BBC, they do not want anybody to hear or to see it?
I would point out that I have no Parliamentary Secretary. I am on my own on this.