Vol. 251 No. 8
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs how much money has been spent on preparations for colour TV; and if he will ensure that further moneys allocated for this purpose will be applied instead to ensure that reception of an acceptable standard is available throughout the country.
101.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the progress which has been made by Radio-Telefís Éireann in the preparation for colour television and the cost of this project.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together.
RTE have informed me that some £115,000 has been spent on equipment capable of handling both black and white and colour programmes, of which about £25,000 might reasonably be attributed specifically to colour. The remainder was for replacements which are no longer readily obtainable in the form of monochrome equipment.
As I have said in reply to previous questions, RTE have as yet no firm plans for the introduction of colour, that is, the regular home production of colour programmes. Test colour transmissions using imported material are being continued and the equipment referred to above will enable the Eurovision Song Contest to be transmitted in colour in April next. I understand that there will also be broadcasts in colour of some major sporting and other events. These experimental or occasional broadcasts will not change the general situation. Regular or studio transmissions in colour cannot be contemplated for several years ahead having regard to financial conditions.
I am confident that the Authority will from their limited capital resources, allocate as much as possible to improving reception in areas where it is not satisfactory. Unfortunately the cost of providing satisfactory coverage in many of these areas would be very heavy in relation to the population concerned.
Would not the Minister agree that RTE are not being ethical in encouraging people to buy sets for colour transmission? They are so encouraging people by announcing their experimental colour transmissions although it will be several years before we have colour television here.
Can the Minister say if the communal television companies are producing colour transmissions from outside stations, say, stations in Northern Ireland or Wales?
Would the Minister not consider that it would be better to spend the money that is being spent on the development of colour television in improving the black and white programmes and in having more home produced programmes in our stations?
To take Deputy Bruton's question first I understand that RTE have spent more than £400,000 on extra transmitters and transposers during the five years ended 31st March, 1970. I understand also, that RTE are satisfied that 98 per cent of the country is covered satisfactorily by existing transmitters. I know that there are still some shadow areas in valleys that are causing some concern.
What I meant was that the money might be spent on the production of better programmes.
We all know that there are many shadows over the country at present.
But would the money not be better spent improving programmes?
There are parts of Kerry in which no picture can be obtained.
I understand there is a transposer at Caherciveen.
Perhaps the Minister would advise them to have another look at the matter in that part of the country?
Deputy Kavanagh's supplementary referred to communal aerials. I do not think this question covers that matter but, from my own knowledge, I would imagine that if communal aerials are set up in areas where external reception is obtainable, these areas certainly would get colour transmission.
With reference to Deputy Moore's supplementary, I understand that RTE are satisfied they will not be in a position to produce colour television for some time yet. I spelled out the reasons for this. It is my belief that the purpose of having experimental colour transmissions at present is simply to enable their technical people to gear themselves towards colour television.
