asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when piped television will be available in Ballyfermot, Dublin; and the number of connections per aerial which will be allowed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballyfermot (Dublin) Piped Television.
5.
As the Deputy probably knows the Broadcasting Review Committee in their recent interim report on cable television and programme choice have advised that, pending the committee's further advice on the development of cable television, the restriction to 500 homes per masthead should be maintained. I have asked the committee as a matter of urgency to supply me with the further advice in question. As soon as this has been received and studied I intend to make an announcement on policy in this matter. In the meantime the maximum number of households which may be connected to a piped television system is 500.
I have just been informed by the Broadcasting Review Committee that they hope to let me have their second interim report, which is on this subject, by the end of this month.
By the end of the month?
They tell me they hope to have the second interim report which deals with cable television, in my hands by the end of this month and I am grateful to them for expediting the consideration of this question at my request.
Is the question of the maximum of 500 a function of the committee? I do not understand who made the decision. It was not a decision of the Minister's?
The Broadcasting Review Committee are purely an advisory body.
Who made the ruling that the maximum should be 500?
I believe it was a governmental or ministerial decision.
Was there a reason for it? What was the reason for it?
I understand that the reason was concern that the rapid large scale expansion of cable television would have an adverse impact on RTE.
The advertising revenue?
Yes, that is right. I should like, on the whole, if the Deputy will forgive me, not to go too deeply into this matter at the present stage, pending the reception of the committee's second interim report.
We must not broaden the subject matter of the question.
I will not broaden the subject matter of the question. Can the Minister say when this report will be available to him?
I tried to tell the House just now that I expect to have this report by the end of this month.
I did not hear that.