Communications Committee hears from Minister and leading experts on Saorview implementation

27 September 2012  

The Committee also heard from Mary Curtis, Director of Digital Switchover and Michael Keogh of RTÉNL, RTÉ's transmission and network subsidiary.

Chairman of the Committee Tom Hayes TD says: “Next month, Ireland moves from analogue to digital television, considered to be the biggest change in transmission since the introduction of colour TV. The Minister left the Committee in no doubt that the analogue signals will be turned off on 24 October. He said that RTÉ had spent considerable resources on the switchover and the project was proceeding well when benchmarked against similar initiatives in other countries.

“While awareness levels of the forthcoming switchover are high within the general population, the most recent figures indicate that there are still 200,000 homes still on the analogue system and will completely lose their television services on October 24. The Committee pressed the Minister that many in that category are older, living in rural areas, and often in lone households. He admitted that there will be a number who will lose television services next month and assured the Committee that the work on the switchover would continue beyond 24 October.

“While Saorview offers coverage to 98 percent of the population, some areas of the country have always been impossible to reach via a terrestrial network. The remaining two percent of homes will need to either install a new satellite dish or modify and re-align an existing dish to avail of the Saorsat service. A number of Committee Members expressed concern that this two percent of the population were particularly concentrated, affecting entire communities in counties of Kerry, Cork, Donegal, Wicklow and Waterford in particular. The Committee did get assurances from RTENL however, that technical expertise would be available on the ground to train installers of satellite dishes in the affected areas in the coming weeks.”

“The Committee heard that some couple of hundred homes across the country will be unable to receive any signal after 24 October, and that these households will be dealt with on a case by case basis.”   

The meeting commenced with a session with Chairmen Designates of New Ross Port and Galway Harbour companies, Ray Lawlor and Paul Carey respectively.  

Deputy Hayes continues: “Under the Programme for Government, those who are being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State boards are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee.

“Committee heard from Mr Lawlor and Mr Carey on the current challenges and opportunities facing both historic ports. Mr Lawlor told the Committee that New Ross port, situated 14 miles inland, is somewhat unique with a particular advantage in handling certain product such as animal feed. Meanwhile, Mr Carey outlined to the Committee the ambitious plans for extending Galway harbour to facilitate larger ships, including cruise liners.

“Following today’s discussion, a transcript of the meeting will be forwarded for consideration by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte TD.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:   
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353  87 694 9926

Committee Membership
Deputies
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
 Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
 Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
 Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
 Tom Fleming, Independent
 Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
 Tom Hayes, Fine Gael (Chairman)
 Colm Keaveney, Fine Gael
 Seán Kenny, Labour
 Mattie McGrath, Independent
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fáil
 Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
 John O’Mahony, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
 Ann Phelan, Labour
 Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
 
Senators
 Terry Brennan
 Sean D. Barrett
 Eamonn Coghlan
 Paschal Mooney
 Ned O’Sullivan
 John Whelan