asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has received a resolution passed by Clonmel Corporation requesting piped television for Clonmel, County Tipperary, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clonmel Piped Television.
1.
On 9 May 1980 Clonmel Corporation advised my Department of the interest of the people of Clonmel in the provision of multi-channel cable television in the borough and requested that the Department hold a competition with a view to the issue of the appropriate licence for such a service. There has been no change in the position since I replied to a question by Deputy Sean Treacy on 28 May—columns 937 and 938 of the Official Report, volume 321, No. 6—except that my Department are in correspondence with the Clonmel Corporation regarding the evidence that would be required in order to warrant the holding of a competition.
Will the Minister of State tell the House what evidence he requires?
The evidence required is that a reliable signal should be available. The Clerk of Clonmel Borough Council wrote on 4 June and asked for details and they are being prepared and sent to the council. The person who wants to transmit the signal can sit for the competition. If the signal is available and is strong enough to give continuous service throughout the day evey consideration will be given to the application.
Will the Minister of State indicate if he is sympathetic to the terms of the resolution by the Clonmel Borough Council?
Yes.
Will the Minister of State tell the House what stations he would like to have transmitted?
It is not a matter of stations, it is a matter of what signals are available. Until the tests are done we will not know.
When will the tests be carried out?
The details are being sent to Clonmel Borough Council.
If there is not a very good signal available in the town itself but if there is a good off-the-air signal available within a few miles of the town, would the Minister be prepared to grant a licence?
That is a separate question. I would have to consider that situation. There might be problems with regard to copyright and so on. What I have said stands. I am sympathetic to the request provided the signal is sufficient and strong enough and provided also that the person supplying it passes the competition.
Will the Minister say how local is local?
The town.
What would be the position if it were a few miles outside the town?
The area in question is a borough.