Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the broadcasting legislation that he intends to introduce; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20510/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Broadcasting Act 2009 was enacted in July 2009 and served to consolidate the vast majority of all previous forms of broadcasting legislation in the State.

While it is the case that I have no immediate plans currently to introduce broadcasting legislation, the continuing development and ultimate implementation of various policy positions in my Department will give rise to the necessity to introduce both new legislation and amending legislation in due course. There are several areas of broadcasting policy that are being considered actively by my Department, including most specifically the question of a broadcasting charge to replace the existing method of funding public service broadcasting. Other areas of broadcasting policy that may necessitate future legislative provision include the issue of media mergers and media ownership in the State, the function of which is to be transferred to my Department in due course, and the application of relevant measures of the audiovisual media services directive on a national level, as well as other matters relating to the continuously evolving broadcasting landscape and the convergence of technologies.

When due consideration has been given to these issues and decisions have been made on policy, legislative measures will follow as appropriate.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply and note there are a number of issues. First, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is conducting a review of public service broadcasting and is to submit a report to the Minister.

There were indications the report was imminent and would be given to the Minister soon so perhaps he might outline the position in that regard.

In his reply concerning media mergers and ownership, the Minister stated that such functions are to be transferred to his Department. When is that likely to happen? Given ongoing advances in technology and so forth, there are various policy issues involved within the Minister's Department. For some time there has been mention of a broadcasting charge. Is there any indication when legislation on this is likely to appear?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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My latest advice is that I will receive the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland report within the coming four weeks. The Bill on media mergers legislation is being brought through the House by my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Given it is on the A list of legislation and because, as Deputy Moynihan noted, it has been promised for some time, my understanding is that it will be published this term. The heads of the Bill to revamp competition law, as approved by Government, approve the transfer of print media responsibilities in that regard to my Department and I expect this will be dealt with this term.

I refer to the broadcasting charge which will replace the television licence and which I would like to see introduced at some stage next year. This morning I had the opportunity to speak at the annual conference of the independent broadcasters - inevitably this issue was raised. Although it may not have been readily recognised by everybody some years ago that so many people are now accessing public service content on platforms other than the traditional television set in the corner of the living room, it is now acknowledged this has become a fashion in Irish society. For that reason, and in order to diminish the current level of evasion in paying the television licence, the sooner we can make the transition the better. Even though there is much work yet to be done on this, I would like to see the charge being staggered in some time in 2014.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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It might be no harm if the Minister gave an assurance on this issue, which raised its head some months ago, to those who are now exempt from paying the licence fee, stating they will remain exempted. It is very important that those people are reassured that whatever form of licensing fee is brought in they will remain in their current category.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Perhaps I should tell the House, first, that it is not my intention that the charge will be greater than the existing television licence and, second, subject to study it is not the intention that the categories of people to whom Deputy Moynihan refers, who currently have free television licences, will change. I do not envisage they will.