Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 29 - Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised)

9:40 am

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We will now move to the broadcasting element. In view of the level of overlapping that exists in this regard, perhaps we might focus on the topic as much as possible in order to avoid the necessity to jump back and forth.

On the broadcasting side, I note that in subhead B3, the grant to RTE for the broadcasting licence fees will increase from €179 million in 2012 to €186 million in 2013. Does this mean that more television licence fees were collected this year than last year? In this context, I note the An Post fee for collecting television licence fees is 6.7% of the total fees received. How was that fee set? There is some indication that the introduction of the broadcasting charge will bring in a larger amount or the amount required might be lower than the present television licence fee. In respect of communications, An Post is also an important part of the Minister's brief. Will it be part of An Post's brief to collect the broadcasting charge? I ask the Minister to respond to these questions.