Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 2

Written Answers. - RTE Broadcasting Signal.

James McDaid

Ceist:

41 Dr. McDaid asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the present position regarding the efforts being made on behalf of RTE to strengthen their broadcasting signal into Northern Ireland; and his views on whether this development in improved communications would be a vital component of the overall peace process. [15135/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Successive Irish Governments have sought to secure increased and improved reception of RTE television in Northern Ireland.

There is a strong demand for greater and better quality access to RTE television in Northern Ireland. This demand is not confined exclusively to the Nationalist community. I believe that easy and reciprocal access to each other's television stations is bound to be a helpful factor in promoting mutual awareness and understanding on the island.

The subject has been under regular review in the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference over the last three years. A bilateral group of officials was established under the Conference to examine the issue of RTE television broadcasting in the North. The group reported that the most significant improvement in the short-term could be achieved by increasing the power of Clermont Carn, the RTE transmitter in County Louth. The UK authorities feared that an increase in power from Clarmont Carn would adversely affect the reception of local Northern Ireland services and reserved their position. The British Government have accepted the desirability of improving RTE reception in Northern Ireland. In this context, I welcome the publication of a letter by the British Ambassador toThe Irish Times in August this year which stated that “The British Government fully supports RTE's desire to enhance its service to Northern Ireland”.

An Irish position paper which was drawn up with the assistance of RTE and officials from the Departments of Transport, Energy and Communications and Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, was handed over to the British authorities in September this year. This paper will be the subject of discussions between Irish and British technical experts which are scheduled to take place shortly. The technical experts on the Irish side are confident that solutions can be found and agreed between the relevant authorities to minimise or indeed eliminate any problems which might arise from an increased output from Clermont Carn.