Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a listing of RTÉ digital Saorview transmitters that are now operating at their full planned output and thereby transmitting to their fullest extent; the counties that are fully covered as is currently planned for Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19623/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the dates the remaining RTÉ transmitters for Saorview will be transmitting at full power; if he will provide a list of all transmitters not transmitting at full power at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19624/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for satellite shadow areas which the Saorview transmitters cannot at present reach or will not be able to reach under present plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19625/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 to 286, inclusive, together.

RTÉ is responsible for the rollout and operation of the Saorview TV network. Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, sets out RTÉ's powers and responsibilities in this regard. The Act provides that RTÉ must roll out a national digital TV network to the same extent as its existing analogue network. In this regard, I understand from RTÉ that the analogue network covers 98% of the population and the Saorview network will also provide 98% population coverage from 51 transmitter sites at or shortly after switch-off of the analogue signal, which is to take place in Quarter 4 of 2012.

Information on the Saorview transmitter sites is available from RTÉ and its website – www.saorview.ie. While I have no direct function in this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to RTÉ and have asked the company to send him the detailed information that he is looking for as soon as practicable. In addition, at this point, I can state that RTÉ has indicated that all 51 sites are now operational and currently provide coverage to 97% of the population. Some of the transmitters closest to Northern Ireland are operating at lower powers to prevent interference into the UK (Northern Ireland) analogue TV network. The power levels of these transmitters will be increased to full power at or shortly after analogue switch-off on the basis of a cross-Border co-ordinated approach agreed between the Irish and UK authorities.

In relation to those areas that cannot be served by Saorview transmitters, I understand that RTÉ proposes to offer a 'free to air' satellite service and that this is designed to reach the last 2% of the population. The RTÉ decision to provide a satellite service is being made by RTÉ on a commercial basis. RTÉ has indicated that this service in conjunction with the DTT network will provide coverage to virtually 100% of the population. The satellite, which will be used to provide this service, launched in late 2010 and is currently undergoing tests.