Can the Minister tell us whether he considers there is any conflict of interests, given the fact that RTE, the State broadcasting service, control 80 per cent of the shareholding in Cablelink? Cablelink distribute the signals of RTE's competitors. I would like him to comment on whether he considers there is any conflict of interests. Can he also tell us whether he thinks it would be better if Cablelink were kept separate from RTE on the basis that they would then be able to compete with the State broadcasting service in terms of having their own advertising and buying their own programme material? While I accept that the proposal only amounts to a testing of the market at this point I think that if the right price is achieved it should be sold. Can the Minister tell me whether he agrees with me on that and that that should be the only consideration?

I do not think there is a conflict of interest. RTE have done an excellent job in providing this service around the greater Dublin area, the Waterford area and in the Galway area since they moved in there. However, it would be for RTE and the minority shareholder to decide——

It is unique.

It is but I do not see it as a conflict. As to whether I would agree that RTE should sell if the price is right that would depend on what one would call the right price. I have my own views as to what the full potential of the service is, it is not merely a matter of carrying television services. Surely, there would also be the possibility of carrying other communications and networks for home shopping and perhaps Bord Telecom and others. Therefore, it is a question of testing the market. If the right price comes up it would be for RTE to decide but the Deputy can be assured that I will be monitoring the position.