Donegal & DTT transition issues

The Cush

Senator Cecilia Keaveney from Donegal has regularly raised and previously attempted to raise the issue of DTT reception in Donegal and North West in the Seanad.

The transcript below from an Seanad Adjournment Debate last week was the latest, with the Minister for Communications present

Broadcasting Services
Thursday, 13 January 2011

Senator Cecilia Keaveney: I thank the Minister for attending. When I raised this matter previously, he was not present to hear my contribution. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for finally allowing me to raise again the issue of television services. It was frustrating to be refused several times on the basis that the Department had stated the matter had nothing to do with the Minister, that it was one for RTE or another body. Tabling an Adjournment matter was the only way I could circumvent the system to chat with the Minister face to face. Therefore, I appreciate the fact that he is present. It is important that the Department recognises it has a responsibility to ensure there will be television reception at the end of the year on the Inishowen Peninsula, despite the Government’s stated policy objective to achieve the closure of Ireland’s analogue terrestrial television network by the fourth quarter of 2012.

Concerns are increasing in the north west on the part of those who know about the technological aspects of the transition. Some people do not receive RTE’s channels, even though they pay the licence fee; a number receive the signal from the North, while others have a snowy picture on their television screen and have had to seek other solutions. Television coverage knows no borders and many of us have gained the benefits of two jurisdictions. I congratulate those involved in bringing the two sides together. While I am aware of the memorandum of mutual understanding between the two jurisdictions on the island on the transfer from an analogue to a digital service in order that RTE channels will be available to those who want them in the North, I am not convinced by what I have heard to date that there is the same concern for those living in County Donegal who cannot receive RTE’s signal. Worse still, those who receive it do not know whether the service will be available after the switchover.

With regard to the work of the North-South Ministerial Council, has the Minister received assurances that the work taking place in the Northern stations will improve the position not only in the Six Counties but also in the nine counties of Ulster? The related issue is whether recent difficulties on the Inishowen Peninsula, in the outskirts of Letterkenny and Milford, in receiving the BBC, UTV and Channel 4 service will be helped or hindered in the switchover. Who is monitoring what is happening, as each side is blaming the other? I have raised specific questions with RTE and about the platforms in Limavady. When I have tried to tabled the matter on the Adjournment in the House, I have been ruled out of order because it is not the Minister’s responsibility. It seems no one is responsible for monitoring what is happening during the transition.

There will be a transfer of service. A number of people have spent a great deal of money on trying to find alternative solutions to ensure the preservation of all stations. We are ecumenical in the North, as we tend to watch RTE as well as UTV, and we want to maintain the capacity and facility to do this. We are seeing the demise of some stations, whereas we are not seeing the advent of the stations for which we are paying the licence fee in many parts of the county. It has been pointed out to me that the Moville television mast is to be closed while the radio mast will remain. The person who contacted me knows a little about technology. What will replace the television mast? If the digital platform was located in Limavady, which would mean upgrading the current analogue service, I would have fewer concerns, but the Minister’s recent announcement that the platform would be located on Divis Mountain, Belfast, will do nothing for ensuring coverage in east Donegal and, in particular, the Inishowen Peninsula may well be the loser in this scenario because there was an overspill into our area from the analogue station in Limavady. I assume it is being close on the basis that analogue services are closing throughout Europe, including the North. If the masts in Moville and Limavady are turned off, from where will we receive a signal? We need this information. We are being promised SAORVIEW — a free service. Some licence fee payers have no or poor reception. People have bought televisions and equipment to overcome the current broadcasting challenges. They want to know how television channels will be delivered free to them. I am not convinced by what I have heard to date that there is a plan to cover every household that needs a signal.

Given that both digital and analogue television services are supposed to have been operating together since 31 October, this simulcast period must give technical experts, North and South, an idea of the experience of households. Are they making inquiries? Where stands the commitment to North-South co-ordination in the digital switchover public information campaign mentioned in October? Has it helped to minimise confusion in Border areas as the analogue switch-off date approaches? Where will the buck stop on the day the analogue service is turned off? This is an international, not just an Irish, event; therefore, it is vital at this time that the matter be taken in hand and people ask probing questions to elicit detailed answers.

Alas, as hard as I try to raise the matter in the House and maintain a focus on it, my few minutes here will yield nothing, unless there is a proper follow up. While I again thank the Minister for attending, I ask him to demand these answers, as there is much uncertainty and it is unfair to allow it to continue. When I raised the issue previously in October, I was suffering from sunburn in Buncrana, while inside their homes people were looking at snowy television screens. We do not know whether the television, an important device in most households, rightly or wrongly, will simply be a box in the corner or a useful viewing platform in 2012. It will be a great loss in many houses. Others might argue it would be their greatest gain. I will leave the issue of the changeover from analogue to digital television in the capable hands of the Minister and ask for his help in the matter.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan): I am glad to be present to reply to this matter. I may not have all the details the Senator seeks, but it is right and proper of her to inquire on behalf of her constituents on the Inishowen Peninsula and raise the wider policy issue, on which she has been a strong leader, particularly in regard to the integration of communications systems, North and South. She has been right to persist in this regard. I regret that I was unable to come to the House sooner to discuss the matter with her.

The Government’s stated policy objective is to achieve the closure of the analogue terrestrial television network by the fourth quarter of 2012. This means the smooth transfer from analogue to digital will be achieved by 2012. The closure of analogue television networks is happening on a worldwide basis. The deadline is mid-2015 but Europe has set 2012 as the deadline for the switch-off of analogue systems. We have to and will meet that deadline.

The closure of the analogue television network will free up spectrum to develop new business initiatives. It is anticipated that the lease of this spectrum could be worth in excess of €2 billion to Ireland and in these difficult economic times the Government wishes to ensure Ireland reaps the rewards of this spectrum at the earliest opportunity.

As outlined in reply to an Adjournment debate in the House last October, the analogue network is operated and owned by RTE Networks Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of RTE. It transmits RTE One, RTE Two, TV3 and TG4 for reception in households via rooftop or set top aerial. The network is nearing obsolescence and is being replaced by a new digital television network. The new RTE digital television service will provide space for the four channels and additional public service channels. In the event of spare capacity, it can be used by RTE on a commercial basis to offer carriage to other commercial television channels.

Last year, I signed legislation requiring RTE to launch its digital television service to approximately 90% of the population by 31 October 2010 and the service was launched on 29 October 2010. RTE has informed me it expects the national digital television network to be in place by the end of 2011. Power restrictions will be in place in some areas, however, until analogue switch-off occurs in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. In this regard, a co-ordinated approach to analogue switch-off between Ireland and Northern Ireland is essential. As outlined to the Senator in my letter of 15 December last, in preparation for the full national launch of Saorview in mid-2011, RTE Networks Limited, RTENL, is preparing the technical infrastructure and continues to work towards achieving a full digital television network for the population of Ireland.

From the period of 31 October 2010 to the end of 2012, both the digital and analogue TV services will operate together. This simulcast period of approximately two years gives TV households adequate time to upgrade to a digital TV service while ensuring the cost of operating the two services is kept to a minimum. My letter of 15 December also indicated that the analogue TV services in Northern Ireland are also due to be switched off at the end of 2012. In parallel with these developments, therefore, the memorandum of understanding, MOU, I signed earlier last year with the then UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr. Ben Bradshaw MP, will facilitate co-ordination around the roll-out of digital terrestrial television, DTT, and analogue switch-off with Northern Ireland.

The Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement recognise the importance of the unique cultural and linguistic diversities that exist on the island of Ireland, and this MOU helps to promote and protect those diversities. The memorandum marked the culmination of a very successful period of co-operation on broadcasting issues between the governments of Ireland and the UK and its benefits will be manifold. It provides for co-operation between the Irish and UK governments to ensure, inter alia, North-South co-ordination on the digital switch-over public information campaign. This will help minimise confusion in the Border areas as the analogue switch-off date approaches.

The MOU also provides for the carriage of TG4 on Northern Ireland’s DTT platform and facilitates the possibility of RTE being transmitted over DTT in the North and for the BBC to be carried in the South. While many viewers in Ireland and Northern Ireland watch the other country’s free-to-air TV channels through overspill, perhaps most significantly the MOU allows the possibility of broadcasting RTE on an all-island basis for the first time in the history of the State. While the BBC has not engaged in the process for the delivery of free-to-air BBC services throughout Ireland and has no legislative remit to offer service to the island of Ireland, I am happy to report that both RTE and TG4 are fully engaged in the process we have set out.

Officials from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the communications regulators in both Ireland and the UK, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, RTE, RTE Networks Limited, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Northern Ireland Office have been meeting over recent months to agree arrangements for the carriage of RTE and TG4 in Northern Ireland. These meetings have mainly concentrated on the technical and spectrum planning issues, regulatory matters and the costs of carriage for RTE on the Northern Ireland digital TV network. I am pleased to report that much progress has been made and there is significant buy-in from all relevant stakeholders, including RTE, RTENL, Arqiva, which owns the TV transmitter sites in Northern Ireland, and Ofcom, the UK regulatory body. The two governments are pleased with the amount of progress made since the signing of the MOU in ensuring and expanding the provision of Irish television services, including Irish language services, in Northern Ireland.

Following a broad range of technical work, the two governments agreed at the end of December last that the most effective way to provide for the continuing provision of TG4 is by building a new, low power TV multiplex in Northern Ireland. In addition to carrying TG4, this multiplex, which will be part of the UK DTT system, will also carry RTE 1 and RTE 2. It is hoped this will increase further the coverage of these channels in Northern Ireland, enabling approximately 90% of the population in Northern Ireland to receive their services on a free-to-air basis, either through overspill as before or via the new multiplex. The existing analogue signals will be switched off on a co-ordinated basis in Ireland and Northern Ireland at the end of 2012 and much more work needs to be done between then and now to keep the public informed of progress in this regard.

With regard to analogue switch-off in quarter four of 2012, as the Senator can appreciate, the technical and spectrum planning aspects of analogue switch-off require in-depth discussion and technical considerations of transmission both North and South. These discussions are ongoing but all parties are keenly aware of the timelines and are working together to ensure a co-ordinated analogue switch-over process which will provide a clear roadmap to secure a smooth analogue switch-off process for Irish citizens in Border counties.

Senator Cecilia Keaveney: I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. I had much of the information. Perhaps he will tackle the specific issue of whether the digitalisation of the Divis transmitter is all that is necessary to provide a digital overspill into the north west. I believe it might be necessary to upgrade the Limavady transmitter to facilitate that. I urge the Minister to get that information as early as possible to the households we are discussing.

Currently, a television in one part of my house does not have certain channels while in the other part of the house it does. I do not know if that is a temporary matter due to work that is taking place. If something appeared on the television screens to notify people that analogue has been turned off and that this is the shape of things to come, it would be helpful. People know there are two services working together but they do not know what is causing the problems they are experiencing. The lack of information means they are wondering what they should do. While people advise them to seek new solutions in the two year period, they do not know what solution they should seek. I accept it is a technical matter. I am far from being a technological person in terms of explaining the problem but I hope the Minister and his officials will be able to understand what I am trying to explain and will raise it with people who can respond to it effectively.

Deputy Eamon Ryan: I appreciate the Senator’s interest in this regard. I will ask my Department’s officials to respond on the technical issues regarding transmission from Divis or Limavady. I do not have the technical details with me but I am willing to ask my officials to respond to the Senator on those technical aspects.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/2011/01/13/00009.asp

Video playback (4:36:20 in)

Previously raised
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/2010/10/13/00010.asp
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/2010/04/21/00010.asp

watty

I don't think he really answered the Question.

The claim of €2B value of Digital Dividend is amazing. If so why have they funded NOTHING of the Digital Rollout and promise only a tiny subsidy for set-boxes?

The Cush

watty wrote: »

I don't think he really answered the Question.

My first thought when I read the transcript.

watty

I don't suppose he will be around after March 11th, 2011

Gone before Full Launch

Sponge Bob

He never answers the question ......partly because he generally does not understand the question..partly because he cares not a jot for rural people...... and partly because giving a straight answer would be an unfortunate precedent to set so late in his ministerial career

lucernarian

There was nothing discussed about Saorview coverage from any of the sites in Inishowen... I do not think a detail such as this would be beyond the Minister for DCENR to answer.

If nothing is done to provide terrestrial UK channels in Donegal, it's really a case of c'est la vie and people can use Freesat. It's much harder to justify the efforts to provide the Irish channels terrestrially in Northern Ireland while many parts of Donegal lose the existing mediocre service they have! This is particularly the case with Malin and Moville. Those two sites also rebroadcast radio, such is the absence of RTE service from Fanad or Holywell hill in the northern half of Inishowen.

The Cush

@watty

In your transmitter list at http://www.saortv.info/terrestrial-saorview/tuning-saorview/ you have included Moville.

According to Senator Cecilia Keaveney in the transcript above the TV transmitter at this site will be closed down.

watty

Interesting isn't it!

I've been assured it will have DTT. The Analogue will be closed. I presumed that's what the Transcript meant.

I have met Minister Ryan "face to face" in DNCER offices in Dublin. A nice friendly guy to chat to. But on technical stuff he's only going to give the answer a civil servant has given him. I know how accurate some of those have been.

I guess eventually we will know. I've been "invited" to put questions to certain people that have answers. But we'll wait a while I think.

The Cush

Written reply to a question from new Independent TD for Donegal South-West Thomas Pringle yesterday on overspill from NI.

142. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will make representations to the relevant United Kingdom authorities to ensure that persons living in Border areas can avail of free-to-air digital television pictures when the digital changeover is complete in the Six Counties and continue the availability of a service they have had up to now by virtue of the fact that they live in a Border area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5981/11]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte): The analogue TV services both in Ireland and in Northern Ireland are due to be switched off at the end of 2012 and my Department has been working closely with its UK counterparts to facilitate a co-ordinated approach on both sides of the border in respect of the roll-out of digital terrestrial television (DTT) and analogue switch-off. In this regard, in February 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the then UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding is available on www.dcenr.gov.ie.

The aim of this Memorandum is to facilitate, on a cross-border basis, a smooth transition to digital switchover in Northern Ireland and Ireland. In particular, the Memorandum provides a basis for making available the Irish public service channels (TG4, RTÉ 1 and RTÉ 2) in Northern Ireland and for ongoing cooperation between the two jurisdictions in relation to spectrum coordination, information sharing and, to the extent practical, adopting a coordinated approach to the provision of information to the public on both sides of the border on the switchover process. In accordance with the objectives of the Memorandum, my Department, along with ComReg, the BAI, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and RTÉ, is continuing to engage with the relevant UK Authorities on all of these issues and this work will continue until after the digital switchover process has been successfully implemented on both sides of the border.

In relation to channel overspill from the Northern Ireland network, this issue comes within the scope of spectrum co-ordination and, while the precise broadcast parameters of the North’s DTT system will ultimately be a matter for the authorities in that jurisdiction, it is understood at this stage that the level of channel overspill of the DTT system will be similar to that of the current analogue system.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/03/29/00114.asp#N2

The Cush

Article from the Inishowen Independent yesterday on the lack of Saorview reception around Clonmany.

An interesting line from the article, a quote from a local spokesman Sean Cooke states that Saorview will be available there by Dec 2012. Is this misquote from RTÉ or does it refer to the planned Saorsat service or do they plan to upgrade the local analogue relay for DTT?

Clonmany campaigns for Saorview
02.11.11
by Eamonn MacDermott, Inishowen Independent

A GROUP of Clonmany residents have joined local TDs Charlie McConalogue and Pádraig MacLochlainn to campaign on behalf of those who cannot get the new Saorview digital television service.
With plans to switch off the analogue service for television viewers being announced for October 24, 2012, residents in Clonmany said that they can hardly get RTE as it is and definitely will not get Saorview. An RTÉ transmitter in Clonmany is one of just two such transmitters in Donegal that will not be upgraded to deliver a digital signal.
A spokesman on behalf of the group, Sean Cooke, said: “We have come together to try and lobby RTE to get some sort of service to here in Clonmany.
“We have requested a meeting with RTE to discuss the fact that we cannot get a good reception on RTE as it stands and can’t get Saorview at all.
“The reply we received was most unsatisfactory and they said if we wanted a meeting it would be well into next year before it could happen.
“This is not leaving much time for us to try and get the problems sorted if analogue services are being switched off next October.
“On top of that we have been told that Saorview will be available by December next year but again what happens in October? Do we sit with nothing on our screens for a couple of months?”
One person who installs digital TV receivers, including Saorview boxes, confirmed that there are black spots in Inishowen.
Charlie McDevitt said: “You can get the service in Clonmany but it is extremely difficult.
“You need to install boosters and the like to eventually get a service.
“It really is a lot of bother. In other parts of the county the service is excellent with no problem but not around Clonmany.
“It seems that the problem is the hills around Clonmany and they block out the signal.”
Parts of the Illies are also listed on the Saorview website as being without the service.
Meanwhile, Deputy McConalogue has expressed his concerns.
“There are 250,000 households who currently rely on aerials for their television reception,” he said.
“However, RTE have confirmed that there is still 2% of the population which is not covered by either analogue or digital terrestrial services.
“I find it unacceptable that the Minister would make an announcement on the date that analogue services will be switched off without first making sure that everyone would have an alternative service available to them.”

http://www.inishowennews.com/011Saorview481.htm

rlogue

I can confirm Moville is up and running with Saorview.

Clonmany is in a difficult spot as the existing transposer that covers part of the area will close. In this example I'd expect Saorsat to be the answer for Irish TV reception. I know this area well and the town (well, village) itself is surrounded by hills effectively blanking off the area from Moville, Fanad and Malin transposer sites.

L1011

Clonmany could end up being one of the few places in the country that can get decent speed fixed line broadband, 3G signal and *not* Saorview.

The Cush

Dáil question for written answer tomorrow by Charlie McConalogue T.D. on the lack of Saorview coverage in the Clonmany area which was the subject of the Inishowen Independent article above.

310. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will request RTÉ to conduct an assessment of the level of Saorview availability there will be in the area around Clonmany, County Donegal before the switch off of analogue in October 2012; if RTÉ will consider erecting a digital mast in the area to ensure a strong Saorview service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Charlie McConalogue.

excollier

The Cush wrote: »

Dáil question for written answer tomorrow by Charlie McConalogue T.D. on the lack of Saorview coverage in the Clonmany area which was the subject of the Inishowen Independent article above.

I contacted Charlie McConalogue two weeks ago and gave him the links to this forum and the Saorsat thread, so at least he has no defence in ignorance of the facts and alternatives.

lucernarian

I like getting one over on Charlie as much as the next man for his ill-informed comments over the NBS. But I don't necessarily see it as wrong to simply call for some sort of saorview site to be placed in the area. Even with Saorsat on the way, it will still necessitate a higher cost for the households which will rely on it.

But it's only the immediate vicinity of Clonmany village that has Saorview coverage issues. There are many spots around Ireland where larger villages/towns are left with nothing (e.g. Kilmacthomas and Carlingford). So I expect this request will be ignored.

I would like to ask how RTENL came to the decision that Laragh, Co. Wicklow needed a saorview site over the likes of Kilmacthomas.

Gerry Wicklow

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

I would like to ask how RTENL came to the decision that Laragh, Co. Wicklow needed a saorview site over the likes of Kilmacthomas.

Any TDs living near Laragh? :rolleyes:

Macy0161

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Any TDs living near Laragh? :rolleyes:

None that were in power when the list was drawn up, as far as I'm aware.

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

Dáil question for written answer tomorrow by Charlie McConalogue T.D. on the lack of Saorview coverage in the Clonmany area which was the subject of the Inishowen Independent article above.

Reply to the above question now up

310. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will request RTE to conduct an assessment of the level of Saorview availability in the area around Clonmany, County Donegal, before the switch off of analogue television in October 2012; if RTE will consider erecting a digital mast in the area to ensure a strong Saorview service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32834/11]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte): Issues relating to television coverage and the levels of availability in specific areas of the country are an operational matter for RTE as is the building and maintaining of television broadcast masts.

The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for RTE to build, roll-out and maintain a digital TV network. RTE has informed my Department that the current analogue TV network covers 98% of the population and that its new digital TV network called SAORVIEW will also cover 98% of the population.

RTE has developed a website (www.saorview.ie) providing information on the SAORVIEW service including coverage information and information on transmission sites. Further information on transmitter locations is available from RTE Networks Limited.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/11/08/00205.asp#N2

John mac

Don't you just love the way questions are not answered directly.

Wonder how long someone spent answering that. ?

Gerry Wicklow

John mac wrote: »

Don't you just love the way questions are not answered directly.

Wonder how long someone spent answering that. ?

reminds me of "I from Barcelona, I know nothing"

Sponge Bob

That is how every department of communications question is answered, not my problem it is a quangos problem.

Sam Russell

Sponge Bob wrote: »

That is how every department of communications question is answered, not my problem it is a quangos problem.

That is why we have quangos.

The HSE looks after the health system, not the Dept of Health and the HSE is autonomous so not answerable to the Dept. The BAI and Comreg look after broadcasting, along with RTE, TG4 and RTE NL - nothing to do with the dept of Communications. etc etc etc.

"Not my fault," said the Minister, "it is the previous government's fault." I cannot remember which government minister said that - or even which government.

The Cush

Saorview/Saorsat coverage in east Inishowen besides Quigley's Point, Donegal was raised in a Topical issues debate last week

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Topical Issues - Television Reception

Deputy Joe McHugh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, to the House.

I have correspondence from a party colleague, Councillor Mickey Doherty, regarding his and his community's concerns with the switchover to SAORVIEW on 24 October. Included is a petition of 25 names representing Meenavanaghan, Cross, The Cloghan and Lemacrossan in an area of east Inishowen besides Quigley's Point. The demographics of the area show 75% of the community is elderly. The advice from SAORVIEW is that once the switchover happens on 24 October, these communities will not be capable of receiving television coverage through SAORVIEW. They have been advised to apply through Saorsat which will take upwards of 12 months to get, as well as an additional €170. I do not believe that is a fair option or solution for the people living in these communities.

The local television experts have done their research into the availability of television coverage in these geographical pockets. The existing mast in the area is not part of the SAORVIEW upgrade. Even the largest television mast in Buncrana will be no good as an option. RTE will recommission some of the masts in Glenties and Clonmany, to ensure coverage in these areas. SAORVIEW is of the opinion that channel 45 from Moville will suffice but I do not believe that will be a feasible option.

I do not know what research the Minister's officials have done into this matter at this early stage. The information the Minister will make available this afternoon may not reassure the communities in question. Accordingly, will his officials investigate this particular issue in depth? It may be a micro-issue and could be repeated in other parts.

My colleague, Councillor Doherty, believes this is an issue of great concern to the communities in question. Up to 75% of the population in them are elderly. From a fairness and community point of view, as well as preventing rural isolation, television is a necessary communication mechanism. If the Minister does not have an update on the matter today, will he use his offices to research this issue because it concerns a great number of people in east Inishowen?

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Fergus O'Dowd): I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. RTE has built, owns and controls the SAORVIEW TV network and is responsible for its roll-out, coverage and operation. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 which provides that the development of the RTE network is an operational matter for RTE and, therefore, not one in which the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has a function.

I have, however, had inquiries made about the coverage in Donegal as raised by Deputy McHugh. Section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 Act provides that RTE must roll out a national digital TV network to the same extent as its existing analogue network. In this regard, the analogue network covers 98% of the population and the SAORVIEW network will also provide 98% population coverage.

Work has been ongoing right across the country to prepare the transmission sites for the move from analogue to digital terrestrial television. However, it is impossible to cover 100% of the population by terrestrial means. Reasons for this include local topography, for example. Regarding Donegal, I have been informed by RTE Networks Limited, RTENL, that as well as having ten of the 55 SAORVIEW transmission sites located in county Donegal - Glencolumkill, Aranmore, Glenties, Magheroarty, Fanad, Malin, Moville, Holywell Hill, Letterkenny and Ballybofey - a large part of south County Donegal is covered by the large Truskmore transmission sites on the Sligo-Leitrim border. As the Deputy correctly stated, the existing mast in the area referred to is not part of the SAORVIEW upgrade.

Notwithstanding this, SAORVIEW, over the old analogue network coverage in Donegal, will give an improvement in terrestrial availability of 6% for RTE One and RTE Two; an improvement in terrestrial availability of 11% for TG4; and, an improvement in terrestrial availability of 51 % for TV3. I have also contacted RTENL on the townlands around Quigley's Point. I have been informed that Quigley's Point and its environs are covered by SAORVIEW from a transmission site located near Ballymacarthur, to the north of Moville. Further information on coverage is available on the SAORVIEW coverage checker on www.saorview.ie.

Furthermore, according to RTENL, the majority of homes in the areas of Meenavanaghan, Cross, The Cloghan and Lemacrossan can avail of SAORVIEW or Saorsat. The latter is, of course, RTE's free-to-air satellite service which was officially launched earlier this year and is, therefore, already available to homes in the area. RTE is not obliged to provide this satellite service and is doing so on its own initiative. With this satellite service, Ireland will have a national TV network covering 100% of the population, for the first time. Currently, Saorsat provides access to RTE 1, RTE Two, RTE NewsNow, RTE +1, TG4, RTE's Digital Teletext service and a number of digital radio channels. TV3 has not yet made a decision as to their carriage on the service.

According to RTENL, the cost differential between a SAORVIEW and Saorsat, including full installation, is in the order of €100. Should a home wish to pick up the UK free-to-air, FTA, satellite services, as well as the Irish services, households can opt for a satellite installation that provides access to both. This option is about €50 cheaper than a full installation that provides for a combination of SAORVIEW and the UK FTA satellite services. RTENL has developed an information booklet on Saorsat which is available on www.rtenl.ie .

Should the Deputy have further questions, I will be happy to pass them to RTENL on his behalf for direct reply.

Deputy Joe McHugh: I acknowledge the research the Minister of State and his Department have done in this subject. He has provided options. Locally, there are concerns and what we are trying to do here is reassure people. There seem to be options albeit more expensive ones which comes back to the fairness issue. If this continues to be an issue, I acknowledge there is an option for the Minister to pass it on to RTENL.

Sometimes we take for granted certain services. There is a concern that if Saorsat is not in an area, it could take 12 months to commission. I welcome the fact the Minister is keeping an open line. I accept he does not have a direct influence with RTE but at the same time, people do bump into each other and they could highlight an issue.

Those from Meenavanaghan, Cross and Lemacrossan who did not get tickets for last Sunday's All-Ireland football final watched it on their old television sets with excellent coverage.

Like the good people of Kerry, once one all-Ireland final is over, we start thinking about the next one. I hope they will be in a position to avail of coverage of the all-Ireland final in 12 months time. I am not predicting who will be in it, but it is important that they have coverage.

Deputy Fergus O'Dowd: I will bring the Deputy's views to the attention of the Department which will communicate directly with him on the issues he has raised.

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2012092600032?opendocument#Television Reception

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They have been advised to apply through Saorsat which will take upwards of 12 months to get, as well as an additional €170.

Sometimes we take for granted certain services. There is a concern that if Saorsat is not in an area, it could take 12 months to commission. I welcome the fact the Minister is keeping an open line. I accept he does not have a direct influence with RTE but at the same time, people do bump into each other and they could highlight an issue.

12 months. I think this refers to the time taken to upgrade a local relay rather than install a dish. I see now more and more the local panic has started to take place.

25 names on a petition, I have to wonder. Have these 25 ordered an installation or are they waiting 12 months for their local politician to sort it for them?