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Dáil Éireann - Volume 181 - 10 May, 1960 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio Éireann Broadcasts: Reception in Britain. Mr. Johnston Mr. Johnston 28. Mr. Johnston asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if in view of the difficulty of receiving Radio Éireann broadcasts in Britain he will consider increasing the power of the station. Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard: Under the European Broadcasting Convention, to which this country is a party, the Athlone transmitter may not be raised beyond its present power of 100 kilowatts. In general, the power of transmitters permitted by the European Broadcasting Convention is related to that needed to provide a service of good quality within the national territory of signatory countries. Mr. Dillon Mr. Dillon Mr. Dillon: Would the Minister avail himself of this occasion to tell us how it is that Radio Luxembourg, broadcasting from Luxembourg, can cover this country and that we cannot? Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard: They are not a party to the convention I mentioned here. Mr. Dillon Mr. Dillon Mr. Dillon: Not a party? Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard: They are not; so I understand. Mr. Dillon Mr. Dillon Mr. Dillon: They do not seem to suffer by their absence from the convention. Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard: We, as a country, have some obligations and commitments which we made at international conventions. Mr. O'Sullivan Mr. O'Sullivan Mr. O'Sullivan: Would the Minister not also agree that he has responsibilities and commitments to the people in the south of Ireland, such as people in West Cork who cannot receive Radio Éireann? Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard 887 [887] Mr. Hilliard: I am taking steps to make money available to the new Authority to proceed with the work which the Deputy has in mind. It is a long time overdue. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: The Minister said that under an international convention he had permision to raise the power of Radio Éireann to provide for good reception over the whole country. Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard: I said nothing of the kind. During the debate on the Broadcasting Authority Bill I said that the only method by which the whole country could be covered would be by the introduction of the V.H.F. method of transmitting. I also said that in general the power of transmitters permitted under the European Broadcasting Convention is related to that needed to provide a service of good quality within the national territory of signatory countries and that was the consideration when it was decided to have the power of the Athlone transmitter at 100 kilowatts. Mr. Corish Mr. Corish Mr. Corish: But it does not reach West Cork and Kerry. Mr. Sweetman Mr. Sweetman Mr. Sweetman: Is the Minister aware that there is a different view as to the legal interpretation of that Convention and will he take steps, therefore, to ensure that another opinion is now taken on the Convention? Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard Mr. Hilliard: That is a separate matter entirely. Mr. Sweetman Mr. Sweetman Mr. Sweetman: We were given bad advice and it is now being carried on through the Minister. Mr. Smith Mr. Smith Mr. Smith: There is always a different view. Dáil Éireann 181 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Radio Éireann Broadcasts: Reception in Britain. Questions 19600510
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