Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and the representatives of RTE. We know an issue is serious when we see the three Deputies for Kerry South sitting side by side and speaking from the same page. People have contacted me in recent weeks from all over Kerry because they are very concerned about the switchover. They have had the tests done and have been told Saorsat will not work for them. A guesthouse owner told me he is afraid he will not have television for the guests who stay with him. His only option will be to go with Sky or another provider and that is not viable for him. There are others who simply want a television in their own homes but cannot get it and they are worried about 24 October. Around Kenmare, Bonane, Baile na nGall, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Dún Chaoin, Feothanach, Ceann Trá and even Kilgarvan there are many concerns about the switchover. Three weeks remain before the switchover and there is time to get these issues sorted out. It would be incredibly unfair and embarrassing, with all the time we have had, if on 24 October people are unable to turn on the television. Those areas should be looked at.

Referring to Deputy Harrington's comments, I believe that the 2% is concentrated in the areas I have mentioned. Deputy Jim Daly raised the matter as a Topical Issue in June in the Chamber and he was concerned about large areas of Cork South-West. This area, the south west in particular, has this problem and needs focus. Special attention should be given to the area because we have had more complaints and calls to our offices from that area than from any other part of the country.