Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I explained already that the BAI makes a levy order which it lays before the Oireachtas. That is the procedure. It has a right to lay a levy order before the Oireachtas. It has done that for 2010. The order sets out the method of calculating the levy which is then applied to the BAI budget for the coming year and applied across the broadcasting sector on a pro rata basis based on each broadcaster's net turnover. Any surplus of levy income or over-expenditure in a given year can be offset against levy obligations the following year or refunded to the industry. The BAI makes the levy order and the committee has spoken to the BAI.

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