andMr. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he accepts that the prime priority in the provision of television services should be at least a single channel service, available in all parts of the country; and if he will take steps to ensure that this is achieved.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Television Services .
15.
(Dublin South-Central): About 98 per cent of the population can receive the existing RTE television service but RTE are aware that there are areas throughout the country where reception is not fully satisfactory. RTE are at present engaged on the renewal and extension of the existing transmitter network and expect that improved reception should be provided in many areas when this work is complete. They will then evaluate the extent to which reception has been improved to determine what further improvements require to be made.
: Accepting that some work is going on at present to deal with what I call the "no channel areas", could the Minister assure the House and the people living in those remote rural areas that this problem is being tackled as one of urgent priority?
(Dublin South-Central): The Deputy may be assured that a number of transmitters are being built at present for RTE 2 and this will improve reception in various parts of the country.
: Could the Minister say where those transmitters are being built?
(Dublin South-Central): There is a new transmitter at Cairn Hill which will certainly improve reception in Kilkenny, Carlow and Roscommon districts.
: Come down to the west.
(Dublin South-Central): That is erected at this time. Other locations are under review such as Carlingford where a new VHF transposer is being installed. North Donegal is being looked at and various other parts of the country such as Clare, Cork, Kerry and Donegal. Improvements are necessary in these areas and they are being examined at present.
: Apart from looking at them, are any positive steps being taken to provide even single channel television in the last mentioned areas?
(Dublin South-Central): There are certain problems involved. The Deputy will understand that it is very difficult to ensure reception. We must take the whole terrain into consideration.
: Arising out of that reply, is it accepted that these areas will remain "no channel areas"?
(Dublin South-Central): No, far from it. We are never satisfied about that. Every effort is being made to ensure they have reception.
: Without pressing the Minister unduly, in these difficult areas such as in my own constituency, along the western seaboard, in Kerry and further north, what positive steps are being taken to ensure that single channel television will be available there?
(Dublin South-Central): An examination is being carried out all the time to see how they can be improved. As I have already said, it is a very difficult problem because we must take the size of the community into consideration. In the case of very small communities it may take a long time to ensure that they get proper reception.
: Does that mean that small communities without any reception can be waiting for years for it?
(Dublin South-Central): No; hopefully we will get around to that but the Deputy will appreciate that where small pockets are concerned it is a very difficult problem.
: Is the Minister telling us that only one transmitter is being built at present and that is all that will be built this year?
(Dublin South-Central): The transmitters necessary for the second channel have all been built and, as I said, the Cairn Hill one is completed and it will certainly improve reception in all that part of the country.
: Obviously the Minister is a Dublin man.
: Question No. 16.