Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

There is a choice. If one does not have a television, one does not have to pay. Otherwise, there would be a citizens charge applied to every citizen in the State. There is always a choice as to whether one uses television services and purchases a licence. If one does not, the licence fee does not apply. By maintaining the current system, there are difficulties but, according to RTE and our nearest neighbours, the UK, it is still the best way of collecting funds. We will review it. It would be a major review and would take time and require changes in legislation. That can be done but it is not the priority. The priorities are to get DTT in place, to ensure broadband is available across the country and allow these technologies to develop. That works better without us charging for them.

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