Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I thank the Minister of State for his consideration. I did not necessarily expect that the amendment would be accepted at this time. However, it should be noted that the amendment did not outline what should be done. It suggested the commission should have regard to the manner in which it is done. I feel frustrated when I encounter surmountable inefficiencies and I believe this to be an inefficient method of collecting television licence fees.

Last year, I was contacted by a highly annoyed individual, who is quite anti-television and does not possess a set. However, he had received a letter from An Post that accused him of failing to pay his licence fee. I contacted An Post about the matter and its representative explained to me that since so few people did not have television sets, the organisation deemed it acceptable to assume that everyone has one. I assume An Post is obliged to apologise to the few who do not — although I did not hear an apology. It assumed that everyone has a television set and I understand it was correct in approximately 97% or 98% of cases. However, the remaining 2% to 3%, for whom this was incorrect, were upset because they had been accused of failing to pay their television licences.

I mention this because this method appears to be inefficient and other ways may be better. The method used in Cyprus impressed me. While I understand the Minister's methods differ from those operating in other countries, I suggest the Cypriot method should be included and put into the melting pot in whatever Bill is tabled by the Government to consider the best method of collecting the fee.