Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Both of our guests are very welcome and I congratulate Ms Ní Raghallaigh on her recent appointment

In her opening statement Ms Ní Raghallaigh said that "the current liability for TV licence fee does not reflect how media is consumed and a Government decision and plan on its reform must be enacted swiftly to ensure public service media is to survive and thrive." As she is probably aware, the Future of Media Commission made 50 recommendations. The initial purpose of the commission was to analyse and make recommendations on the funding of RTÉ, public service broadcasting and issues around the licence fee, including examining other funding options. The commission made 50 recommendations and to the best of my recollection, 49 were adopted or agreed. However, the one that was not adopted was the one relating to the licence fee and the funding aspect. That has since been referred to a technical group which I understand is not due to make its decision until the latter part of next year. In the context of Ms Ní Raghallaigh's opening statement, she must be disappointed that the decision making is proving to be so prolonged and protracted. Is she disappointed at the lack of decision making on this issue?