O’Mahony welcomes extension of RTÉ’s longwave service

“RTÉ’s longwave service is to be extended”, says John O’Mahony, Fine Gael TD for Mayo and Chair of the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee.

“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.

“RTÉ recently appeared before the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, of which I am Chair, and we discussed the proposed ending of the longwave service. I am delighted that RTÉ has now taken our concerns on board and deferred the move. 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.”