Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I call for a debate on this issue. I also wish to raise an issue that is germane to my brief in the Seanad, namely, the question of the proposed increase in the television licence fee. There is a proposal before the Government to increase the fee by €7. I ask the Leader to have this debated in the House or at least to draw the attention of the relevant Minister to the fact that this should not be granted automatically. In many hostelries and hotels there are multiple televisions and the cost could be quite prohibitive. It is a serious issue.

Government must always be careful about contributing to inflation and there must be constant monitoring of Government allowed increases. I would welcome a debate in this House on inflationary exercises by Government, including this proposed increase and ESB increases in the past that have been questionable. Every proposed increase in charges from a Government agency should come before the Houses of the Oireachtas and be painstakingly examined, and not be granted on the nod.