Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Stanley that the €40 million needs to be gathered up. We, as a result, should be able to look at and consider a reduction in the TV licence fee, rather than an increase.

With regard to the specific issue raised by Deputy Stanley at the mid-term review of the Estimates on 2 October, I have referred it to the working group for its consideration. I understand that under the Broadcast and Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998 individuals were required to register their details at the point of purchase of a television. These details were then forwarded for inspection regarding the purchase of a TV licence. This provision was repealed in the Broadcasting Act 2009 due to the burden it placed to traders and the poor level of information that was actually recorded on it. Now we could have a situation where many of those sales would be moved online, outside of this jurisdiction, where Ireland would lose out on VAT and taxation, and the lack of collection of that data.

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