Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 October 2012
151. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure the roll out of SaorView to black spot areas in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43560/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraRTÉ has built, owns and controls the SAORVIEW TV network and is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of that network. This includes information on transmitter sites being used. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides that the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ.
Section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 Act provides that RTÉ must roll out a national digital TV network to the same extent as its existing analogue network. In this regard, I understand from RTÉ that their analogue network covers 98% of the population and the Saorview network will also provide 98% population coverage. It is impossible to cover 100% of the population by terrestrial means.
The SAORVIEW network is largely completed. Regarding Waterford, I have been informed by RTÉ Networks Limited that as well as having five of the sixty four SAORVIEW transmission sites located in County Waterford (Dungarvan, Kilmacthomas, Ferrypoint, Clonmel (the transmitter site is just inside County Waterford) and Gallows Hill) large parts of County Waterford are covered by transmission sites in other counties (Mount Leinster – Carlow, Suir Valley – Kilkenny, Mullaghanish, Spur Hill and Mitchelstown – Cork and Cahir - Tipperary).
Analogue Terrestrial Television Coverage in County Waterford was as follows: RTÉ One c. 88%; RTÉ Two c. 88%; TG4 c. 82%; TV3 c. 60%.
SAORVIEW coverage in County Waterford gives the following improvements over the old analogue network - an improvement in terrestrial availability of 10% for RTÉ One and RTÉ Two; an improvement in terrestrial availability of 16% for TG4; an improvement in terrestrial availability of 38% for TV3.
In addition to SAORVIEW, RTÉ has developed SAORSAT, a new free-to-air satellite service unique to Ireland to ensure the RTÉ television services are available to the remaining 2% of the population. SAORSAT launched in March 2012. Currently, SAORSAT provides access to the RTÉ channels including the new RTÉ channels developed for SAORVIEW and TG4. TV3 has not yet made a decision regarding SAORSAT. SAORVIEW and SAORSAT coverage and reception information is available on www.saorview.ie and www.rtenl.ie
