Ms Dee Forbes:

First, if I may, we have never asked for an increase in the licence fee. What we have always called for is reform of the existing system. It was probably the last time we spoke to the committee that we had identified €50 million was being lost through a combination of evasion and the no-television home scenario. That has now increased to €65 million. The system, if you like, is not getting access to €65 million. Therefore, any increase in the licence fee would be unjust on those who are paying. What we are asking for is reform of the current system in the first place. That is hugely important.

As the Deputy pointed out, the collector of the licence fee is appointed by the Department. In the case of ourselves, An Post is the collecting agent. I cannot speak for An Post but I think it has some issues with the system. There is a database that is very out of date. It needs updating. The collection system, with licence fee collectors on the road, is a costly one. That needs looking at but what needs to be looked at seriously is the future funding model. Whatever model that comes into play, it needs to be fair, independent and empirically set, not by us or by anybody in the Houses but by the regulator, to ensure it is a fair system for all.