Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. As I said, the licence fee will be discussed in the context of the commission. I do not want to interfere with the work of the commission.

I am aware that evasion is currently estimated to be at 12.57% even though An Post makes every effort to bring the evaders into the licence pool with reminder notifications and inspections. There is also an increasing number of homes, approximately 11%, which have televisions and do not pay a fee.

I cannot pre-empt the work of a commission, the members of which will serve really well. The NUJ has written to me and sent me its report, which I will bring to the attention of the chair of the future of media commission. As I said, there will be extensive engagement with all stakeholders. The print sector was added to the commission as an acknowledgement by the Government that it is at risk. We have to acknowledge that and see how best to provide a road forward for it.

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