Seanad debates

Thursday, 20 October 2005

10:30 am

Photo of Terry LeydenTerry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I concur with other speakers on the kidnapping of Rory Carroll. We should send our support to him, an appeal to his kidnappers to release him safely forthwith and express our concerns to his family. We should be proactive in this regard. We have a public relations officer for the Houses of the Oireachtas, who should convey to al-Jazeera an appeal from this House to Mr. Carroll's kidnappers and the authorities in Baghdad to release him. That would be worthwhile and helpful in the context of this gloomy period for him and his family.

I recommend that the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources does not increase the television licence fee, which is currently €155 per year. RTE, which this year made a profit of approximately €8.5 million, does not deserve such an increase. No subsidies are paid to TV3, Today FM or the many excellent local radio stations, yet RTE, with its overpaid broadcasters and staff, is seeking a further increase. The ordinary people highlighted issues in terms of rip-off Ireland but it is rip-off television to demand this increase. It should be rejected forthwith.

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