Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

On No 7a, Deputy Coveney, along with Deputy McManus, has tabled an amendment to this motion. This issue is of serious import to local radio stations. A number of people will lose their jobs as a consequence of the extent of the levy and I, too, regret that the Government merely notes the statutory instrument introduced by the Minister. In our view it is an excessive levy which will result in people in these radio stations becoming unemployed, and that will be to the detriment of the very good work they do. I would have preferred if the Government had been open enough to have an annulling order before the House to allow a rational discussion about the extent of the levy required, as has been pointed out by Deputy Coveney and Deputy McManus.

See this speech in context