asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when it is proposed to erect TV booster stations to serve the Berehaven and Rosscarbery/Clonakilty districts, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West Cork TV Reception.
189.
The improvement of television reception is primarily a matter for Radio Telefís Éireann. I understand that, apart from some isolated localities, reception in the Berehaven area from the transposer provided in 1965 is generally good, and that RTE have been unable, because of shortage of resources, to make progress in further improving reception in that area. As regards Clonakilty I am informed by RTE that they have no plans at present for improving reception in the area. With regard to the Rosscarbery district I would refer the Deputy to my reply on 24th February, 1972, Vol. 259 No. 3 col. 504, to his question about reception in that area.
It is a pity that the Minister did not refer the Deputy to the reply given in 1969. I was promised then that a booster station would be erected in the Rosscarbery district in the following year.
Acting Chairman
Has the Deputy a question to put?
Can the Minister say when this booster station is to be erected because, otherwise, I shall advise the people concerned to withhold their licence fees? They are justified in doing so.
Civil disobedience.
I am a great upholder of democracy but on this occasion I consider myself justified in advising these people to withhold their fees. The Department have been bluffing for long enough. When is the booster station to be erected?
Is there any hope of its being erected before the 2nd August?
Certainly not. I am informed by RTE that they have no plans at present for improving reception in the Clonakilty area. I understand that apart from isolated localities in the Berehaven area, the transposer provided in 1965 gives reasonably good coverage.
In any case, they are missing nothing.
In February last Deputy Murphy was advised, when he asked about RTE plans to erect a booster at Rosscarbery, that RTE would not be in a position to provide a transposer for this area before the year 1973-74.
In 1969 I was told it would be provided in the following year. If the people of Rosscarbery take my advice they will withhold their fees.
Would it be in order to ask the Deputy when the revolution in West Cork will break out?
I do not think the Deputy is serious.
There has been much talk of civil rights for people in the North but there is as much discrimination in the South as there is in the Six Counties.