AS some 35,000 households in Donegal, Mayo, Galway and the south east remained without multi channel television yesterday, a deflector spokesman in Mayo said it looked increasingly likely that protest candidates would be put forward in key constituencies.
The spokesman, Mr Joe Gibbons, said there was continuing dissatisfaction about the Government's proposals to grant temporary licences for three years from next autumn. There was a growing fear among deflector campaigners that they would be fobbed off with inconclusive proposals by a Government intent on defusing a thorny electoral issue.
A candidate has already been chosen in Donegal South West. Other areas where candidates are likely to stand if Mr Dukes's proposals are rejected, include Mayo, Tipperary, Waterford and Cork.
Mr Gibbons said representatives from the Mayo groups would meet other deflector groups over the next few days.