asked the Minister for Communications the reason for the inordinate delay in providing a multi-channel television system for Tipperary town, especially as it is almost three years since a licence was granted.

I understand that the cable licensee for Tipperary town had planned originally to use the cable headend in Cashel as the source of signals for Tipperary. However, when the Cashel head-end was subjected to serious and repeated vandalism, the cable licensee had to change his plans which has led to delays. I understand that the licensee is currently negotiating with Telecom Éireann for the provision of signals from Limerick to Tipperary via fibre-optic cable, and is hopeful of an early satisfactory outcome which will enable him to cable the town.