Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure the roll out of SaorView to black spot areas in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43560/12]

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 includes information on transmitter sites being used. 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.

Section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 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 their analogue network covers 98% of the population and the Saorview network will also provide 98% population coverage. It is impossible to cover 100% of the population by terrestrial means.

The SAORVIEW network is largely completed. Regarding Waterford, I have been informed by RTÉ Networks Limited that as well as having five of the sixty four SAORVIEW transmission sites located in County Waterford (Dungarvan, Kilmacthomas, Ferrypoint, Clonmel (the transmitter site is just inside County Waterford) and Gallows Hill) large parts of County Waterford are covered by transmission sites in other counties (Mount Leinster – Carlow, Suir Valley – Kilkenny, Mullaghanish, Spur Hill and Mitchelstown – Cork and Cahir - Tipperary).

Analogue Terrestrial Television Coverage in County Waterford was as follows: RTÉ One c. 88%; RTÉ Two c. 88%; TG4 c. 82%; TV3 c. 60%.

SAORVIEW coverage in County Waterford gives the following improvements over the old analogue network - an improvement in terrestrial availability of 10% for RTÉ One and RTÉ Two; an improvement in terrestrial availability of 16% for TG4; an improvement in terrestrial availability of 38% for TV3.

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

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that large areas of County Kerry will lose television reception after 24 October 2012 if he will ensure that existing TV transmission masts will be upgraded to ensure that some technical solution will be found for the problems that are continuing to exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43579/12]

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 includes information on transmitter sites being used. 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.

Section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 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 its analogue network covers 98% of the population and the SAORVIEW network will also provide 98% population coverage.

The SAORVIEW network is largely completed. The remaining thirteen sites, including Dingle in Kerry have been on air since 1 October and will provide increased coverage in the relevant areas. It must be understood that it is simply not possible to provide 100% coverage by terrestrial means. Reasons for this include, for example, local topography.

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 carriage on SAORSAT. SAORVIEW and SAORSAT coverage and reception information is available on www.saorview.ie and www.rtenl.ie.

Specifically in relation to Kerry, as I explained to the Deputy in a parliamentary question reply of 26 September, according to RTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL) six of the sixty four 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).

Furthermore, as also explained to the Deputy, I have been informed by RTÉNL that SAORVIEW has delivered a significant improvement in terrestrial coverage in both geographical and population coverage in County Kerry as set out in the following tables:

Geographical

Population