Vol. 444 No. 7
116 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the quality of reception of RTE 1 and Network 2 in the Coolbagh, Ballinaclash area of Clashmore, County Waterford, which is ongoing and is not related to any difficulty with the Cablelink system; and if he will have the matter investigated and rectified immediately.
I would like to remind the Deputy, as I stated in previous answers to parliamentary questions in this House, that investigation of problems with the reception of RTE 1 and Network 2 is a matter for RTE in the first instance. RTE have the technical expertise and the local resources to investigate such complaints effectively. If, following those initial investigations, there is evidence of interference from another frequency spectrum user, RTE will inform my Department which then takes responsibility for the matter and liaises directly with RTE.
I understand the issue to which the Deputy is referring has been brought to the attention of RTE who have investigated it and identified the source of the problem which is an electricity pylon. RTE will liaise directly with the ESB to solve the issue, and my Department will be kept informed of developments.
117 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there has been no improvement in the quality of the RTE 1 and Network 2 reception in the west Waterford area where it is believed the problem has been created due to the interference of the cablelink system; and the action, if any, he intends to take to rectify this situation.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the towns of Cappoquin, Tallow and Lismore which receive multi-channel television via a cable system which is owned by Cork Communications Ltd, the local cable franchisee.
Last week Cork Communications Ltd requested RTE engineers to examine the quality of RTE reception in these areas and this was carried out during the past week. RTE felt that reception quality was not satisfactory and would benefit from some adjustments to the local cable system. I understand that they made recommendations to the company in this regard which is currently carrying them out.
Liaison between RTE and Cork Communications Ltd will be ongoing and my Department will be kept informed of developments.
