DEFLECTOR groups in the west yesterday demanded the right to broadcast community television programmes on their systems, if they are granted licences by the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Mr Dukes.
In an apparent move to increase pressure before the Minister's proposals, which will be brought to Government next week, a spokesman for the Mayo groups said there were no technical reasons why community television should not become a reality.
"Local radio stations were all illegal 10 years ago. Now they are all legal and that's what we want a community television channel," said spokesman, Mr Joe Gibbons.
He said such a channel, broadcasting locally to customers of deflector groups in a given area, could carry a local events guide, news, and educational programmes.
He stressed they did not seek to put MMDS operators or cable companies out of business, and added that the consumer could only benefit from increased competition.
"It is up to the public to decide what they want whether they want MMDS or the deflector systems. Let the best man win.
He said he was "pleased" at the Minister's promise of licences for deflector groups, but added that the groups would reserve their position until the full details were disclosed next week.
The deflector groups would seek full consultation and involvement in whatever new structures would be set up.
A national meeting would go ahead in Athlone tomorrow as planned, although he accepted it was now much less likely to reach any decisions on fielding protest candidates in the general election.
The Green Party candidate in Mayo, Ms Anne Crowley, said the MMDS licence in the county had failed to set up a service, even though it had a licence for the past nine years.
Meanwhile, deflector groups in the south east welcomed Mr Dukes's statement but remained cautious, pointing out that promises had been made before.
"We would think, yes, it will go up, but not by a lot," he said.