Television service in no-channel areas
O’Keeffe raises the lack of service in single- and no-channel areas, and Keating asks whether residents may pay increased fees without receiving either channel. The Minister says a South Tipperary transmitter might help somewhat, but not before 1981, and cannot guarantee improvement.
Would the Minister accept that in general it is more important that those in the single-channel areas would be supplied with a service——
Comment on this
This is a completely separate question. We are moving from a particular question to a general debate on reception and I cannot permit it.
Comment on this
I think the Minister is anxious to reply. Has he any sympathy at all for the no-channel areas?
Comment on this
I have pointed out that RTE are improving the situation and that some of the areas which have poor reception at the moment will have better reception. However, because of the rather exceptional difficulties in regard to this area, these specific changes will not help. RTE are trying to provide a new transmitter in the South Tipperary area which to some degree may improve reception in the area referred to, but this transmitter will not be in service until 1981, and even then I cannot say if there will be an improvement.
Comment on this
Is the effect of the Minister's answer that it is possible the people in this area and in others like it will be paying for RTE and RTE 2 at the new increased cost but will not have the benefit of reception of either?