Communications Committee to hear from RTÉ on closure of longwave radio service

14 October 2014

Representatives from RTÉ radio will appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications for a discussion on broadband delivery and mobile coverage in rural areas. Managing Director Jim Jennings will address the Committee on the rationale for the closure.

Chairman of the Committee John O’Mahony TD says: “The Committee is concerned about the impending closure of RTÉ’s long wave transmitter at Clarkstown, and particularly, its impact on the Irish diaspora in the UK. While low cost air travel and advances in digital communications has made it easier for the Irish in Britain to keep in contact with home, older emigrants have depended on the longwave radio service for news and sport from Ireland. While cognisant of the financial challenges facing the national broadcaster, the Committee will wish to explore the rationale for the decision to close this valued service to the Irish in Britain.”

Separately, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe will address the Committee on the Council of Transport Ministers held in Luxembourg last week.

Deputy O’Mahony continues: “Our Committee has an important oversight role on the Government’s interaction with the European Union on transport policy. We will engage with Minister Donohoe on the approach he took at last week’s Council meeting. The meeting considered a number of important issues related to pan-EU aviation and railway policy.”

The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 15 October at 9:30 am in Committee Room 4, LH 2000. Public proceedings, which will commence with engagement with Minister Donohoe, can be viewed online here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

ENDS

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Committee on Transport and Communications
Deputies: John O’Mahony (Chair), Michael Colreavy, Timmy Dooley, Dessie Ellis, Tom Fleming, Brendan Griffin, Noel Harrington, Seán Kenny, Éamonn Maloney, Helen McEntee, Michael Moynihan, Patrick O’Donovan and Mick Wallace
Senators: Sean D. Barrett, Terry Brennan, Éamonn Coghlan, Paschal Mooney, Ned O’Sullivan and John Whelan