Seanad debates
Tuesday, 4 November 2003
Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
It is interesting that 5% of broadcasting licence fees was projected as funding when this Bill was first mooted. Following the review on broadcasting, as far back as December, the Minister stated he was in favour of this 5%. I compliment him on that because he came under pressure from the head of broadcasting division in his own Department who said it would probably be contrary to normal broadcasting to have this money diverted. This is a first time decision. While it is probably healthy to have certain exchanges within the Department, I am glad the Minister is not to be labelled as a "yes Minister" type of person but is an independent thinker. RTE at the time disputed the decision that 5% of the considerable largesse raised by the television licence fee should go elsewhere. It felt it might go to commercial interests outside the country.
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