Memories, 1973: 25,000 demand multi-channel TV

AT a meeting of the Limerick Multi-Channel Television Campaign Committee, it was decided that immediate contact be made with the campaign committees of Cork, Galway and Waterford with a view to arranging a meeting with Dr Conor Cruise O’Brien, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.

With reference to the Minister’s statement regarding the government’s authorisation for a transmitter which would serve for either re-broadcasting one Northern Ireland channel or for a second RTE channel, the Limerick Committee warn that any effort to introduce a second RTE channel as an alternative to multichannel would be met with resistance throughout the country.

The citizens of Limerick have signed a petition to this effect which already has over 25,000 signatures. It is understood that negotiations in progress between the BBC and the Irish and British departments of posts and telegraphs will take at least another 18 months before it is possible to re-broadcast one Northern Ireland channel.