Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, no proposal has been brought by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, to Cabinet on changes to the television licence and how that revenue could be collected. We acknowledge how important the television licence is for the funding of our public service broadcaster. Clearly, were any changes to be made to the licence in the future, we would have to look at issues of equity and how those on low incomes, including students and the elderly, would retain access to our national broadcaster. All of these are matters that will be considered in the future and no such proposals have yet been brought to the Government. The Minister has already been very clear, publicly, that the magnitude of change in the level of the television licence fee referred to last week will not be happening. If and when we get to a debate on the structure of the licence, I am sure the Deputy's points will be central to any considerations.

See this speech in context