Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

On the last point, discussion has already taken place on the proposed Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006. This will address new methods of broadcasting through the Internet, mobile phones, etc. There was quite a reaction in the e-consultation process carried out by the Oireachtas committee regarding the possibility that mobile phones might have to be licensed in the future if they were receiving television programmes. I do not pretend to have all the answers in terms of where we are going in this area. The concept of convergence and how that will affect communications into the future is something that changes almost on a weekly basis. There will be implications, as the Deputy is aware, for television licence fees and whether the television licence will be a thing of the past in five or seven years' time because of that convergence.

See this speech in context