asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will make immediate arrangements to ensure that transmission signals from Radio Telefis Eireann are strong enough to be received in any part of the Six North Eastern Counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Transmission Signals.
252.
I am advised that it is not practicable to provide full and satisfactory television coverage of the Six Counties from transmitting stations located on this side of the Border. The BBC have had to provide no fewer than eight stations within the area to ensure adequate coverage for BBC I transmissions. The signals from some RTE transmitters are receivable over a large part of the Six Counties, apart from places shadowed by mountains, but satisfactory reception is possible in many places only if viewers are prepared to erect special "fringe" type aerials as is done by many viewers here who receive external programmes.
The transmission of stronger signals from existing RTE stations would not, I am advised, help materially. An additional station would improve reception to some extent. There are, however, difficulties in the way of establishing such a station which is not provided for in the plans included in the last European Regional Broadcasting Agreement. Consultation with and the consent of the other signatories concerned would be necessary. I would like to assure the Deputy that the matter is being examined very carefully and every effort will be made to reach a solution.
Reception in the Six Counties of RTE sound broadcasts will be improved when the present Athlone transmitter, which is due for renewal, is replaced. I have urged the Authority to expedite the replacement.
Would the Minister consider asking RTE to have some link-up with the television service in the North? People from the South who appear on UTV or the BBC must travel to the North at present. Some arrangement could be come to whereby this could be done through the RTE station.
Certainly.