Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 30:

In page 32, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: “(13) The Minister shall within 180 days of the passage of this Act lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on provision for a reduction in the levy in recognition of the public information service provided by independent radio stations.”.

We have moved this amendment that "within 180 days of the passage of this Act [the Minister would] lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on provision for a reduction in the levy in recognition of the public information service provided by independent radio stations". As the officials will know, this is an issue that was discussed at length a number of years ago. The intention was to reduce the levy to the independent broadcasters, in recognition of the public service remit they are providing through the radio stations. The rules in Standing Orders mean it is not possible for me to table such an amendment here as it would be ruled out of order by the Chair, so I have used this mechanism to raise this issue with the Minister in the hope she can indicate that she is prepared to look again at the broadcasting levy.

One of the big problems with the broadcasting levy as it is structured is that it is regressive and disproportionate, particularly for smaller radio stations. They are the ones that are struggling to remain viable and yet they are the most important aspect of the broadcasting network at local level throughout the country. We have taken the decision, and rightly so, to waive the fees for community radio stations. We are unique globally in having a thriving community radio station network. It is a positive development that we are waiving those fees. With the way the levy is calculated currently, all broadcasters, regardless of size or turnover, pay the same percentage on the first tranche of money. Following that, the more money a broadcaster makes, the less of a percentage they pay on those higher amounts. It disproportionately penalises the smaller stations. The intention behind this is to give recognition to the public information role provided by radio stations.

This came to the fore during Storm Ophelia and Storm Emma. Storm Ophelia was the high winds of 2017, which led to a tragic loss of life. A huge amount of our electricity network throughout the country was disrupted, and that had a knock-on impact on broadband and mobile phone coverage. The only way the State could get vital public information out to communities throughout this country was through local radio stations and the local radio network. The same happened with Storm Emma, or the beast from the east as it was called, in spring 2018. A huge amount of our existing infrastructure was brought down, and we are becoming more reliant on broadband and electricity. One is co-dependent on the other. If electricity goes, our broadband and mobile networks go, and as a result of that the only mechanism to get a message across to the public is through our local radio stations.

When we do the be winter-ready campaign, one of the elements in relation to that should be to actively encourage people to have an old radio and a set of batteries so that they can tune in to the local radio station and get updates on the return of electricity, on water supplies, emergency services and where services can be availed of, because it is only on a local radio station that such a level of information can be given out. During those two especially severe weather events, we were all so dependent on our local radio stations to give us vital information. RTÉ and the national broadcasters were great, but they were not going to be able to tell a rural townland in County Roscommon or County Galway when their electricity was likely to be back. They could not go into that level of detail. However, the local radio station could and did give it. That must be recognised. There should be recognition in terms of a reduction in the broadcasting levy. That was before we saw the financial impact of Covid-19 on many broadcasters. Many of the smaller ones now are struggling at this stage. They are the ones that are so vital across many rural areas. Could the Minister look at the proposals and commitments that have been given previously for a reduction in the broadcasting levy, and provide us with clarity and an intention to come back on Report Stage to amend the legislation in this area.