John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Jennings. All of us were taken by surprise, as were the people affected, by the fact that it was announced in September that the broadcasts would cease in October. Mr. Jennings mentioned that might have been done to concentrate minds and gauge the reaction. The reaction, from our perspective, has increased significantly in recent days, as the public has become aware of it.

Members, through their involvement in the community and meeting people in Britain over the years, know that keeping the connection with Ireland is hugely important and RTE has been the lifeline for many people, especially those who might not be technologically aware or otherwise.

I welcome Mr. Jennings's opening remarks that RTE will delay this until January because more consultation needs to take place. The Irish in Britain organisation, in particular, has been in contact with us with us with signatures and so on. This is gaining momentum. There needs to be a clear way in which that element, which might be small but it is important, can be further consulted and their views can be taken on board. If it is possible to accommodate keeping that connection with RTE, the national broadcaster, that is fine but from what we are hearing and from talking to other Members, that is not possible at the moment.

Is there any alternative? Mr. Jennings spoke about the cost. I understand it transmits 24-hours per day currently. Could a compromise be reached in that it could continue to transmit but from 7 a.m. to sometime in the evening when, I presume, the largest tranche of people would be listening?

Mr. Jennings mentioned that the BBC is going to get rid of long wave. I do not think it has made any announcements in that area so far. Again, some of the people who have been in contact with us would say that it is doing it in a more planned way than has happened here.

I am not the most advanced technologically but digital radio coverage in Ireland seems to cover only 52% of the country whereas in Britain, it is something like 97%. Is that related to this? Why could that not be expanded? Could that be a solution?