This issue has been ongoing for about 20 years. At the end of last year we moved forward to a stage where reception of television services has increased to 70% as opposed to 30%. Obviously we wish to see a far greater percentage, if not the whole of Northern Ireland, being able to access RTE if that is their wish. There will be an opportunity to improve access with digital technology. There is a commitment in the Good Friday Agreement, reached in the multi-party negotiations on the North, that in the context of the measures in relation to the Irish language that the British Government will "explore urgently with the relevant British authorities in co-operation with Irish broadcasting authorities the scope for achieving more widespread availability of TG4 in the North". The Agreement clearly places responsibility for implementing these provisions on the British Government. There appears to be goodwill on the issue and we are beginning to move forward. Like the Deputy, I would like to see universal coverage of TG4 in the North.
With reference to the carriage of TG4 on NTL cable in the North, I wrote to the Deputy recently explaining the situation after he inquired about it. This is a matter, first and foremost, between the cable company and the station. I understand that NTL recently began to carry RTE programmes on a digital cable system. RTE would have preferred the station to be carried on the analog service because it would have reached more people. At present, digital cable take up is minimal and that is a problem.
It is a matter for the cable company and the station. I am aware of the Deputy's particular interest in this issue and he is welcome to keep in touch with me about it.