Longer broadcasting hours for RTÉ Cork Local Radio will enhance the station's community service.
RTÉ Cork Local Radio has been entertaining and informing the people of Cork since 1974 with a lunchtime programme. Airtime for the station has been limited to one and a half hours per day while many pirate radio stations continued to operate without restraint.
A plethora of appalling pirate radio stations blossomed without restraint.
RTÉ Cork Local Radio will now broadcast for three hours a day, doubling the service output with an afternoon drivetime programme. Presenter Alf McCarthy welcomes the additional air time and the opportunity to grow the service offered by Cork Local Radio.
Producer Pat O'Donovan believes local radio should provide a service where people can learn about and discuss issues impacting on their community. The new evening show will have elements similar to a national drivetime programme but with a more local emphasis. People are encouraged to get involved.
We want people out there to ring us up to tell us what they're interested in.
Chairman of the staff committee, Eamon Galvin welcomes the decision to allow the expansion of Cork Local Radio which has been a long time coming. The committee was established 15 months ago to expedite the issue by lobbying local politicians, public bodies and trade unions.
Head of Radio Programmes at RTÉ Cork Máire Ní Mhurchú is delighted with the extension to broadcasting hours and is hopeful that this is the beginning of a full comprehensive radio station in Cork.
This extra time will help us to cater for the interests of more but indeed we could do with even more time and I hope that will be forthcoming in the future.
This episode of 'Ireland's Eye' broadcast on 13 December 1982. The reporter is Pat Butler.
