Rte extends 252 longwave service until 2017

Minister for Communications Alex White, today welcomed the announcement that RTÉ is to retain its long wave service until 2017. Minister White said: “I recently met representatives of the Irish community living in Britain, who stressed the value they place on RTÉ’s long wave service. I welcome the decision to extend the life of the service by two years, which will give the broadcaster space to engage with its listeners about other ways of accessing RTÉ radio in the UK.”

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has also welcomed the extension of the RTÉ longwave service until 2017. The service broadcasts from the former Atlantic 252 mast at Clarkestown, Summerhill.

He said: “I am delighted at the decision of the RTÉ Board to retain the longwave service until at least 2017. This service benefits thousands of Irish people living abroad and is a crucial part of RTÉ’s public service remit.

“Through the transition period, RTÉ Radio 1 will operate a full service in 2015, with reduced hours in 2016, working toward a full shutdown in 2017, giving more time for the transition away from longwave to alternative methods of listening

“This Government is very focused on the diaspora and improving our connections with the Irish abroad. As such I felt the proposal to close of the longwave service would do a grave disservice to the diaspora and needed a rethink. I am very glad that sense has now prevailed.

“RTÉ produces high quality news and drama and, through its longwave service, provides a real connection to Ireland for Irish people living abroad. In particular, the thousands of Irish people living in the UK really value having this connection to home and I am glad that they will have it for a while longer while the alternatives are properly worked out.”