asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the plans his Department have for the improvement of television reception in the Ballymacarbery/Nire Valley area of County Waterford.

RTE have no plans for the improvement of television reception in the Ballymacarbery-Nire Valley area in the near future.

There is absolutely no reception in these areas.

It is not possible to do anything about it in the near future.

Have RTE any long-term plans to improve reception there?

The Deputy will appreciate that this is a very difficult area. RTE are engaged in work on the renewal of the existing transmitter network and the provision of a network for the second TV service in the context of which improved reception will be provided in many areas throughout the country. However, because of the surrounding mountains which interfere with signals, the work RTE are doing now will not bring an improvement in the area referred to by the Deputy.

Is it possible the people living there will be able to receive RTE2?

I do not think so.