Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Television Reception.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

707 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason there is little or no reception for RTE 1 and Network 2 in an area (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the plans, if any, the Government has to rectify this. [1816/98]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

731 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason there is no reception for the Teilifís na Gaeilge channel in an area (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the plans, if any, the Government has to rectify this. [1810/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 707 agus Uimh. 731 le chéile.

The issue raised by the Deputy is the day-to-day responsibility of the RTE authority and I have no statutory function in the matter.

However, in accordance with long-standing custom, I am prepared to furnish to the House information supplied by RTE in response to questions relating specifically to improvements in reception of national broadcasting services.

RTE informs me that it is aware that the quality of reception of RTE 1, Network 2 and Teilifís na Gaeilge in the area in question is inadequate. RTE reports that it had planned to install a transmitter at Dooncartin during 1997, but was unable to do so. RTE states that it hopes, during the first quarter of 1998, to be able to proceed with the installation of the transmitter which it states will provide good quality reception of the three television channels to viewers in the area referred to by the Deputy.