Shane Ross (Independent)

This matter relates to the need for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to ensure that RTE's FM service is received all over Northern Ireland, thereby enabling residents of that jurisdiction to access RTE. The Minister of State will be well aware that this issue does not divide but rather unites the communities in Northern Ireland. It is a non-denominational matter, in respect of which people in both communities felt aggrieved for much of the past year.

The problem is simple. On 24 March RTE decided to axe its medium wave service, which could be received in Northern Ireland. It was a very strange decision for a public service broadcaster because it appears the public service mandate of RTE only runs as far as the Border. I am sure it will not surprise the Minister of State to hear that there is a large number of people living in Northern Ireland who do not necessarily depend on RTE for their news but who enjoy it. That also applies to people in the United Kingdom.

The decision to axe medium wave was inexplicable. The response from RTE was that it was switched to FM and that is perfectly adequate for every citizen in this part of Ireland. Unfortunately, FM does not reach every pocket in Northern Ireland. I have constituents there and have received complaints from rural and urban constituents that they can no longer receive RTE because of this extraordinary decision. It appears RTE also has plans to resolve this but, in the meantime, those plans have not been fulfilled and there are still many people in Northern Ireland who feel very frustrated.

It should be pointed out to the Minister that the Good Friday Agreement includes a great deal of verbal respect for all traditions in Northern Ireland receiving equal information and parity of esteem. Not providing this information appears to be discrimination against all the citizens of that part of Ireland.

Will the Minister of State convey to the relevant Minister the news that there is a great deal of discontent there and ask him to take measures as soon as possible which will not cost a great deal of money for vulnerable people? Much of this affects older people, especially in rural areas which FM does not reach. They should not have to accept the solution suggested by technical people which is to get a Sky Box because it is complicated for those who do not understand it and it is expensive.

RTE must decide whether it has a public service mandate which extends across the Border or whether it is Twenty-six Counties public service or a Thirty-two Counties one. It appears it has made a decision which discriminates against certain people who live on the same island as we do.