Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegations for coming before us and giving the presentations. It has been worthwhile and the engagement on Friday was also worthwhile. This is essentially about money and sustainability. I would like to mention language for a moment. The engagement on Friday was very good and I do not know about anybody else, but the phrase "consumers consuming products" conjures for me the image of machines in a factory, with material going in one side and coming out in another shape. Perhaps we could speak of people accessing programmes or citizens viewing or listening. That would be helpful. Language can sometimes frame a debate.

I disagree a little with Deputy Dooley about the Minister's responsibilities as we have a responsibility to ensure we get this Bill right. All of our guests today, including those from the Department, RTE and TG4, have responsibilities, but we have a big responsibility to ensure we get legislation right. We have reached decision time and we must make up our minds as to whether we want good quality public sector broadcasting, good programming and to ensure the quality of services that are there. By any standard, there are pressures.

There is a high rate of evasion in the collection of the licence fee and I am not sure we are coming at this from the right direction. Is there a better way of capturing the licence fee? I made some suggestions about this in the past and am happy to do so again as it is important. I am mindful of changes in technology. I might be a bit old-fashioned as I go home to look at the television, flicking between a few channels. That is about it. I know people access television in different ways. Perhaps we could be a bit more innovative in thinking about it.

As I understand it, what the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is seeking would provide €1.6 million extra. Is the annual budget €3.2 million?