asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will explain the method by which multi-channel television is to be provided in Cork, Limerick and Galway.

My Department has not yet arranged a competition for an exclusive licence for a multi-channel cable television system in Limerick. Upon the issue of exclusive licences in respect of Cork and Galway, the licensees will be expected to provide an aerial and associated head-end equipment at the site stated in their respective applications and a trunk cable from there to the cities to be served as well as the normal cable network in those cities. The detailed design of the networks will be a matter for each licensee, subject to compliance with the technical conditions laid down by my Department under the Wireless Telegraphy (Wired Broadcast Relay Licence) Regulations, 1974.

Why can the signal not be transmitted through the air?

I understand there are technical objections to doing that. There is also a belief that transmission by microwave could have copyright implications. There is a suggestion that that doubt has been removed but I do not know if it has been removed entirely. The broadcasting review committee in 1974 recommended that microwave link systems should be owned, controlled and maintained by the Department on an integrated basis. If permission was given to individual applications the technical end could become confused and lead to difficulties.

Would not the cable vision system of transmitting this television network also give rise to copyright problems?

I agree with the Deputy that there appears to be a contradiction, but I am advised that there is a distinction between retransmitting by microwave and by cable. I admit I cannot see the distinction but it was held that there was a distinction. Another view seems to be gaining support and that is that rebroadcasting by microwave does not infringe copyright.

Arising from the Minister's reply——

I have already allowed four supplementaries. Next question.