Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason churches had to stop broadcasting to parishioners pending a review of the radio mass service in communities here. [17904/06]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the issues that exist in relation to the broadcasting of mass or other religious services to existing parishioners in view of the fact that the broadcasts are clearly not by radio stations, pirate or otherwise; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that thousands of housebound people rely on this service; the steps which are being put in place to ensure that mass can once again be heard over the airwaves by parishioners; the timeframe for the reintroduction of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17905/06]

Liam Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will enter discussions with Comreg regarding the transmission of religious services and allow the transmission to continue until such time as the required dedicated radio frequencies are in place in view of the importance of these services to the people of the parishes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18035/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 240, 241 and 243 together.

The primary issue here is one of safety. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for the management of the radio spectrum in Ireland and are required to investigate any interference with services, particularly where critical safety issues are concerned.

To facilitate the Deputy, I requested information from ComReg. They indicated to me that they "had been contacted by the Irish Aviation Authority regarding frequency interference with Air Traffic Control systems and as a result of it's inquiries ComReg has contacted three Church services". ComReg also stated that based on the times and patterns of the interference, the Irish Aviation Authority said in its communication to ComReg of 23 April that "Air Traffic Control observed that this problem appears to be common in the morning and also raised the possibility that a local church service may be the source of the problem".

ComReg fully understands the importance of such local community services and intends to permit wireless public address systems to meet the needs of religious and other community organisations. Regulations permitting the transmission of such services are due to be in place later this year.

These Regulations will require my consent as Minister for Communications, under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 and both ComReg, who have expertise in the technical area of radio spectrum safety and I fully intend to fulfil our duties in relation to potential safety issues.