Vol. 478 No. 2
150 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the number of applications for licences received over the years from deflector television groups; the dates on which they were received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10930/97]
The Deputy will appreciate that over the years my Department would have received numerous requests, applications and general inquiries, from a variety of individuals and organisations, about the licensing of television retransmission systems. It is not always possible to identify existing deflector operators from this correspondence.
However, since the commencement of the High Court proceedings by South Coast Community TV in 1994 about 20 inquiries from different parts of the country regarding licences for this type of system have been received.
As the Deputy will be aware I announced last week that I intend to introduce a new short-term licensing scheme for the provision of multi-channel TV on the ultra high frequency band. All those who have expressed interest in operating licensed television retransmission systems will be able to apply for licences under the new scheme. Further details of the operation of the scheme will be made known in due course.
