Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Leyden spoke about the Data Protection Commissioner warning about social media content and I agree with his remarks. Senator van Turnhout spoke about child care and after-school care, and she also gave her views on the next person to fill the portfolio of EU Commissioner. I am sure the Government is working on that as we speak. Senator Colm Burke referred to the €3.7 billion paid to various health organisations and the health committee not being allowed to examine these. That is a matter for the Committee of Public Accounts and the health committee, and I have no wish to get involved in the arguments. I am sure they can sort it out between themselves.

Senator Mullen spoke about the television licence fee. The Minister has indicated that information should be used by An Post to identify licence fee evaders, and licence fee evasion is an ongoing scourge, as we know. We estimate the proportion of people not paying their television licence fee is running at over 15%, and that is more than three times the rate of our nearest neighbour. That means approximately €25 million to €30 million of potential revenue for RTE is lost annually, as the objective of the television licence system is to fund public service broadcasting. The revenue lost through fee evasion has an immediate impact on the quality of service which can be provided and it also creates inequality between compliant licence holders and evaders. As long ago as 2004, the Comptroller and Auditor General highlighted the fact that there was no legal obligation on cable or satellite television service suppliers to inform An Post of the names and addresses of persons availing of services. Given that ComReg estimates that over 73% of television households have such services, this measures should significantly reduce the level of evasion. An Post will have access to the information solely for this statutory function related to television licence fee collections and the commercial confidentiality of the information will be safeguarded. With this proposal, the licence fee inspection and collection system can enter the 21st century.

The remaining Senators raised matters which I have already addressed. Senator Bradford spoke about the political position in Northern Ireland and I will endeavour to have the Taoiseach come here to discuss the matter in early course. Senator Heffernan spoke about the work of the Leader organisations, which should certainly be lauded for their past work. I am sure the work will be continued by the local development organisations with an input under the local authority umbrella. We have had comprehensive debates in the House on this matter over the last year and when the appropriate Bills came before the House.

I must mention my colleagues, including Senator White. Fianna Fáil has a bit of a brass neck to speak about cuts.