andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the very poor television reception in west Kerry particularly in the Dingle peninsula and the proposals, if any, to remedy this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West Kerry TV Reception.
17.
(Dublin South-Central): RTE are aware that television reception in parts of the area in question is less than adequate. They expect to be in a position in about six months to say when an improved service will be provided for the area.
Is the Minister saying it will be six months before they can even say what they will do about the problem, or is he implying that the problem will be resolved within six months?
(Dublin South-Central): No.
Is it the former or the latter?
(Dublin South-Central): I will repeat the answer. RTE are aware that television reception in parts of the area in question is less than adequate. They expect to be in a position in about six months to say when an improved service will be provided for the area.
Does the Minister accept that the description "less than adequate" is proper for the appalling reception in this single-channel area?
The Deputy is moving into the speech-making business.
Is the Minister aware—as I am aware from having been down there on a tour recently—that this is one of the main issues in the area, and that people are totally outraged because a proper television service has not been provided for them?
(Dublin South-Central): I am aware of what the Deputy says. I realise reception is poor. RTE are carrying out a survey and four or five months from now they expect to have proposals for development and they hope to have a transposer sometime after that. It will be four or five months before they will be in a position to say exactly how they will rectify the position. I cannot say how long it will take them after that to carry out the work.
Is the Minister aware that west Kerry cannot get RTE 2?
(Dublin South-Central): I am.
And the Minister is prepared to do nothing about it.
(Dublin South-Central): I have indicated in my reply that within three to four months some positive steps will be taken.
The Minister has drawn back from six months.
Would the Minister suggest to his Department that people in west Kerry should not have to pay a full licence fee in view of the fact that they are not getting the same service as the rest of the nation?
(Dublin South-Central): The Deputy knows as well as I do that you pay a licence fee for holding a receiving set.
The Department are collecting money under false pretences. They are not giving a service.
(Dublin South-Central): My information is that every effort will be made by RTE to improve the service.
They would want to do better than they are doing.