AS Irish citizens prepare for further chaos over Brexit, they are surely entitled to expect that, at the very least, their radio coverage will remain in place as they go about their business across the island.
Unfortunately, as our report today sets out, those who either live in a wide range of areas, or engage in the simple act of driving from one jurisdiction to another, know that their digital signal can either suddenly disappear or was never available in the first place.
There are major political issues which remain to be addressed in Ireland, north and south, but it is difficult to believe that people from all traditions and none cannot freely access the radio stations of their choice on such a small island.
While it can be accepted that contractual issues may impact on the television sector, extending restrictions to ordinary people in the radio audience makes very little sense in this day and age.
It is verging on the ridiculous that, in the 21st century, listeners to BBC, RTÉ and all the other popular commercial channels with outlets in Belfast, Dublin and elsewhere can be marginalised because they either live in a certain district or drive across a border region.
Although FM signals are often poor, and the previous long wave services have an uncertain future, the digital era should allow the freedom to access RTÉ across the north and also enable the BBC to be received south of the border.
It is particularly frustrating that a lap-top computer or even a standard iPhone can pick up radio programmes from almost anywhere in the world but car drivers, who ironically may well be driving home from Dublin, are frequently denied access to our national broadcaster.
Complex wider discussions are under way with the EU about the Brexit shambles but, regardless of their outcome, we should all be guaranteed the opportunity to enjoy the radio stations of our preference.
