asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the criteria on which licences for cable television are granted to applicants; and the action that is taken to ensure that these criteria are met.
Written Answers. - Cable TV Licences.
448.
Licences for the provision of cable television service are issued under the Wireless Telegraphy (Wired Broadcast Relay Licence) Regulations, 1974 which set out the general conditions and minimum technical requirements with which a licensed cable television operator must comply.
A decision to issue a licence is made following an examination of proposals submitted by applicants on a standard application form in response to an advertisement inviting applications for a licence to provide a cable television service in a particular area. The main factors taken into consideration in deciding between applicants are the number of service points to be connected within specified periods, the amount of the charges, the programmes to be relayed and the technical specifications of the systems.
My Department have powers under the regulations to require licensees to make available on request any information relating to the operation of their systems; to inspect the systems and ultimately to suspend or revoke the licence in the event of failure to comply with the terms of the licence. The manner in which these powers are exercised in regard to any particular system would depend on the circumstances of the case.