Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

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 .

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.

See this speech in context