Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason RTÉ NL do not include the Ballydavid transmitter, County Kerry, in the list of 13 additional transmitter sites that will broadcast the new Saorview service; if RTÉ NL can guarantee full service to all of west Kerry through the transmitter site in Dingle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41019/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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RTÉ has built, owns and controls the Saorview TV network and is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of that network. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides that the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ.

I have been informed by RTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL) that the transmitter in Dingle is only one of nine transmissions sites covering County Kerry. Six of the fifty five SAORVIEW transmission sites are located in County Kerry (Mullaghanish –Cork/Kerry border, Kilkeaveragh, Maamclasagh, Dingle, Knockmoyle, Cnoc An Oir). Additionally, parts of County Kerry are covered by transmission sites in other counties (Castletownbere, Bantry – Cork, Maghera – Clare). The purpose of the transmitter in Dingle, which will come on air on October 1^st, is to cover Dingle and its immediate environs and, while its addition will certainly improve coverage in the Dingle area, it should be noted however, that it is impossible to cover 100% of the population by terrestrial means.

According to RTÉNL, SAORVIEW is a significant improvement over analogue terrestrial television coverage in County Kerry as follows:

Population

RTÉ One Analogue 90% population / SAORVIEW 95% / + 5%

RTÉ Two Analogue 90% population / SAORVIEW 95% / + 5%

TV3 Analogue 44% population / SAORVIEW 95% / +51%

TG4 Analogue 75% population / SAORVIEW 95% / +20%

Geographical

RTÉ One Analogue 75% area / SAORVIEW 87% / + 12%

RTÉ Two Analogue 75% area / SAORVIEW 87% / + 12%

TV3 Analogue 40% area / SAORVIEW 87% / + 47%

TG4 Analogue 64% area / SAORVIEW 87% / + 23%

In addition to SAORVIEW, RTÉ has developed SAORSAT, a new free-to-air satellite service unique to Ireland to ensure the RTÉ television services are available to the remaining 2% of the population. SAORSAT launched in March 2012. Currently, SAORSAT provides access to the RTÉ channels including the new RTÉ channels developed for SAORVIEW and TG4. TV3 has not yet made a decision regarding SAORSAT. SAORVIEW and SAORSAT coverage and reception information is available on and .