Vol. 480 No. 3
25 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if she will give an estimated timeframe within which she hopes to have the community deflector system problem resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14104/97]
26 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the progress, if any, she has made since taking up office in relation to the community deflector systems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14105/97]
27 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications when she will legalise the community deflector systems as committed to by her party when in Opposition. [14106/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 26 and 27 together.
The licensing of television deflector operators is a very complex issue. I am currently familiarising myself with the issue and I will be evaluating the various policy options. While I will continue to exercise a role in relation to overall policy on the allocation and use of radio frequency spectrum, the legal power to issue licences to television deflector operators pursuant to section 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926 was transferred, with effect from 30 June 1997, to the Director of Telecommunications Regulation under the (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1996. It is, accordingly, a legal function of the director in the first instance to address the question of licensing such operators. Any licensing regulations proposed by the Director of Telecommunications Regulation would be subject to my consent.
