TG4 Northern access problems to be resolved

The NIO has said that it hopes to resolve all outstanding issues regarding Six-County access to TG4 by the end of the year. The statement was made in response to a letter from West Tyrone Councillor and MLA Barry McElduff, asking what obstacles were preventing people in the North from viewing the station.

McElduff referred to the commitment made in the Good Friday Agreement to 'explore urgently... the scope for achieving more widespread availability of Teilifís na Gaeilge in Northern Ireland.' He also pointed out the growth in interest in the language, saying it was reflected in the widespread desire for TG4 to be completely available throughout Ireland.

MP Angela Smith responded to the questions. She said that while around 54% of homes in the Six Counties can now receive TG4, both governments were keen to improve coverage and that the commitment to extend it had been reinforced in the Joint Declaration. While saying that there were technical and other difficulties, both governments were working to overcome these. She added: "I expect the outstanding issues to be resolved toward the end of the year."