Joe O'Toole (Independent)

RTE should be broadcasting at 500 MW but is broadcasting at 250 MW instead. I regret that RTE did not inform Members of this. I was in London recently and tried to pick up long wave but could only barely do so. Moreover, the transmission of RTE long wave is being interfered with by Radio Algeria. This tells one how weak is the Irish broadcast. One can simply look at a map and work out the reason a station in north Africa could interfere with our reception in London. While we are only 500 miles away, they are at least 2,000 miles away. We are not broadcasting at the power that is allowed to us.

I make this point in the knowledge that throughout Ireland at present, most local radio stations are broadcasting at a power far greater than they are meant to broadcast. Fair dues to them and I do not object to it. However, RTE should do the same. As it is not doing so, I will table an amendment to ensure it broadcasts at the power it has been granted by the European regulators or the body that hands out station frequencies.

I have a lot more to say but I will not be able to get through all of it on this occasion. We will deal with these issues on Committee Stage. I welcome the Bill and congratulate the Department and the advisers on an extraordinary piece of work. I look forward to debating some of the issues I raised at the next opportunity.