asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when RTE proposes to erect the long-promised booster station in the Rosscarbery district, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Booster Station.
163.
I understand that because of shortage of capital RTE will not be in a position to provide the transposer in this area before 1973-74.
Is the Minister aware that people in the Rosscarbery district cannot avail of our television service? In parts of the area there is no picture at all. Is he further aware that repeated representations have been made to have a booster station erected in the district to accommodate Rosscarbery, Clonakilty and Dunmanway? In all these places reception is exceptionally bad. In view of all the representations made to his Department and to RTE, surely some priority should be given to the area and the booster station erected there this year.
There are isolated pockets which do not get satisfactory reception and the only way to provide such reception is by using transposers. RTE had intended in 1970-71 to provide a transposer at Glandore, which would serve the area mentioned by the Deputy, but because of a shortage of capital the work had to be postponed and it now looks as if the area will not have the transposer until 1973.
Would the Minister accept that it is unfair to the people in this area to leave them without the service of even one channel? I am sure the position does not obtain in many other parts of the country. In view of the unanswerable case which can be made for a booster station in this area, would the Minister not make funds available to enable work to commence on 1st April next? That would be a year ahead of the time he mentioned.
I will take the matter up again with RTE and urge them strongly to try to hurry things up. This was promised in 1971 but the Authority did not live up to that promise.
In view of the fact that the Minister, as spokesman for RTE, promised the service for 1970-71, would he and the chairman of the Authority be prepared now to receive a deputation from the local residents?
That is a separate question.
It would be a matter for RTE.
But the Minister is responsible to the public.
I will take the matter up with the Authority on behalf of the Deputy, but I have no official say.
Let us hope the booster will be erected this year.
I will convey the Deputy's remarks to the Authority. I am sure the Authority will be willing to meet the Deputy and the members of his deputation.