Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 17, line 4, after "Act" to insert the following:

"shall be estimated and planned by the Minister on a multi-annual basis and".

The amendment raises very important issues in respect of the costs of setting up this quango. I propose that the costs of administration should be estimated and planned by the Minister on a multi-annual basis. It creates some certainty, especially for broadcasters, which are expected to have an input in financial terms. It also sets a certain requirement on the Minister to ensure there is cost containment. Earlier, I made the point that this is not the way to proceed nor is it cost effective. However, if the Minister is proceeding in this direction he should at least have a multi-annual estimation of the cost. He promises rather vaguely that it will be efficient, but he does not tell us how so. This is merely a small measure in that regard. How much does he expect it to cost in its year of establishment and how much will the State coffers be required to fund? Has the Minister met an bord snip nua and has this matter been discussed? We live in times when people cannot get an indoor toilet because there is no money in the kitty for disabled persons grants and when children cannot afford school books, yet the Minister will create an unnecessary body that will cost a great deal of money. The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, which has fewer duties, cost €7.2 million in previous years.

We live in different times and Ministers must justify every decision. How much money are we discussing? If the new body will be the same as the BCI, why should the latter be replaced? If the new body will not be the same, the duties contained in the Bill indicate that greater costs and expertise and further structures in the form of committees will be required. What is the likely budget and can the Minister ensure that it will be planned, as this would provide people directly affected by the quango's running costs with certainty?

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