I am sure the Minister realises that a number of cable television companies are in great financial difficulty, that some such companies have been put into receivership recently. In view of the high cost of cabling television and since there have been major technological advances — the fact, for instance, that it is hoped to have international television by satellite within a few years — can the Minister indicate his attitude to legalising television by deflection?

That is very much a separate question.

It is referring to the same situation.

It might solve some problem but it is a different question.

It is causing a lot of problems for relay companies. The activity is illegal.

Will the Minister consider the matter?

We have considered it but there are international issues involved. There would be involved, for instance, the negotiating of the copyright abroad and then we would have to begin paying for it so there are real difficulties involved in that respect.

Is this matter being investigated by the committee set up to consider the question of cable systems?

As I have said, the committee have reported to me and I hope to be in a position to publish their report within the next couple of weeks. Deputies will then have an opportunity to debate the subject. I will be inviting comment and submissions on the report before we arrive at policy conclusions. The question raised by Deputy Treacy is interesting but it relates to a very difficult area. The illegal deflectors are causing enormous difficulty for legal and franchised cable systems. For instance, the illegal deflector system operating in Galway was one of the contributing factors to the recent receivership in Galway and I shall have to take action against them as well as against others.