Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

The name Pontius Pilate comes to mind. Does the Minister not accept that he cannot hide behind the broadcasting authority as regards the undue burden that he is responsible for placing on the independent radio sector in particular and that he cannot walk away from it now, since it is a direct result of decisions and legislation he has introduced? Secondary legislation will not come into force until Thursday, so I urge him again to ensure that this order is annulled to allow for a fresh start.

Has the Minister received the types of submission I have received from independent and local radio stations from the south east, Munster, the midlands, Dublin and Connacht-Ulster? People who are concerned about their jobs cannot believe that this system of levies will be imposed with no recognition of the impact on the budgets within which radio stations are struggling to survive. Does the Minister not accept that, for example, the percentage of advertising revenue has mushroomed as regards the levy? He must bear responsibility for what has occurred. I urge him to come out from behind the BAI. We are discussing secondary legislation, so he can still ensure that fairness comes into play. He should do so because he promised in the House that an undue burden would not be placed on those who are struggling.

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