asked the Minister for Communications if he is aware of interference caused to local television reception in the Kinsale and Timoleague areas by radio communications systems recently installed in local Garda stations; and if he will take steps to have the matter rectified.
Written Answers. - TV Reception Interference.
74.
I am aware that there are interference problems with television reception in the areas in question following the introduction of the Garda radio communications system there. Radio Telefís Éireann, which has statutory responsibility for the investigation of interference with television and radio broadcasts, is currently considering how best the problems can be overcome.
75.
asked the Minister for Communications if he is taking any action to have a new wavelength assigned to Air Call due to the interference with Channel 4 television; if he is aware of the considerable public irritation over the constant interference with their programmes; if he has not given any instructions to the body concerned with allocating the wavelength, if he will instruct them to find a new wavelength; and if he will make a statement of the matter.
The answer to the first part of the question is no. I have no statutory responsibility for the quality and reliability of reception of Channel 4 transmissions here. Such transmissions as are received are of a weak, fringe variety and therefore vulnerable to interference from authorised users of the frequency spectrum and other sources in this country.
The frequency used by the company in question and which is in that portion of the frequency spectrum allocated under international agreement to the land mobile service was allocated in 1976, many years before Channel 4 became operational. It would not be appropriate to replan or to sterilise a portion of scarce frequency spectrum allocated to the land mobile service so as to afford protection to transmissions not designed for reception here, with the attendant expense and inconvenience that would arise as a result for Irish users of the frequency specturm.