Ms Susan Kirby:

I am happy to respond on that point. It is an excellent question. In my opening statement, I referred to the fact that we were obviously really pleased to see there is real commonality in the sector around the importance of the levy, its introduction being expedited and that it has ambition. I refer to some of the features we have mentioned around IP and the Irish producer having access to the fund. It is important to note that TG4, Virgin Media and RTÉ are of one mind on this. I appreciate the opportunity to say that in my opinion, the picture painted last week by Sky Ireland is plainly wrong. This is not a tax on either the service or the consumer; it is a give-back - I think that is the language used in the video - that may bring that to life. A 3% levy on the €600 million revenue gathered by Sky Ireland would deliver €18 million to the sector. It is really about Ireland aligning itself with what is happening in the EU. This is already in place in various territories in the EU. It is about significant revenues that are being generated leaving the country but which could support Irish creative talent and storytelling. What is currently happening is that creative talents and storytellers are leaving the country. It is important that we correct the point made by Sky Ireland that it is double taxation and I appreciate the opportunity to do so,.

It is not. It is a giveback for the very substantial business Sky is deriving from this market. Mr. Hickey referenced something which is also important, namely the Indecon report, which maybe pointed towards this being very complex to bring in, as a further barrier to its introduction. I make the point that the Indecon report actually gives a number of options for how this could be introduced. Essentially, we are looking for a roadmap to that introduction from the Department. That might include what the percentage is, which body will introduce it and what the timeframe for its introduction is. To reiterate the point I made in my opening statement, we would like to see some urgency around its introduction and suggest it should happen on 1 January 2023.