Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thought it probably was the 23% rate and I wondered if we could go much higher than that. On the general broadcasting charge issue to which Deputy Eamon Ryan was just referring, the figures Professor Rafter brought here today suggest the lost revenue is approximately €30 million on a 13% to 15% evasion rate. If that is brought down by two thirds to British levels, there is €20 million to be gained. That is a fairly limited amount of money, all things considered. Evasion does not seem to be the big issue unless someone has other concepts in mind. It strikes me that the cost of recovery is an issue. If one looks at that €180 million and divides it by the number of households or domestic units in Ireland, of which there are perhaps 2 million to 2.5 million, one is talking about €90 to €110 each.

In that context it might be more sensible to collect it as part of the local service or property charge and simply take it away rather than doing that.

When Mr. Purcell refers to a differential commercial rate, is he talking about anything different from pubs, restaurants and hotels? Will there be a charge per hotel room or per screen in a pub? I am fully conscious of the fact that publicans pay a lot of money to provide Sky or BT Sport. I do not feel too sorry for them but I would like some flesh put on those bones.