Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In regard to the distribution of revenue from the television licence fee, independent broadcasters argue they provide services that are as good as the national broadcaster and do so on a shoestring budget. It is difficult to defend the current arrangement when one considers the local radio stations. Any discussion of the new broadcasting charge needs to include the fundamental question of how it is going to be distributed. Earlier today we discussed a range of issues with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. We have to decide how this fund will be spent in the future.