Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

This is a complex matter that has much wider policy implications than broadcasting legislation. As such, it falls to be dealt with by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in the context of the Fines Bill 2007, which is currently on the Dáil Order Paper.

The Fines Bill proposes two key mechanisms that are intended to reduce the likelihood of imprisonment in respect of the non-payment of court imposed fines. The first mechanism is an equality of impact assessment that would allow the court to consider the ability of a person to pay a fine. The second mechanism provides for the payment of fines by instalments.

The Fines Bill is currently being reviewed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform with a view to making additional mechanisms available to the courts in the event of persons defaulting on payment of fines by the due date. I understand that the Minister hopes to finalise shortly his proposals in that regard. Given these developments and the complexity and extent of the issues concerned, I cannot accept the Senator's proposed amendment.

Amendments Nos. 126 to 128, inclusive, provide that an officer of An Post may deliver reminder notifications and the fixed payments notices provided for under section 149 personally as well as by means of post. This is intended to allow officers of An Post additional flexibility in terms of the application of such notices with a view to enhancing the efficiency of the television licence fee collection system.

We are not trying to hound people. One must have a system in place where as many people as possible will pay their television licence. With any tax people do not feel as bad when they know everyone else is paying it. We are providing a service and it is important that we have a system in place to encourage as many people as possible to pay the licence fee. We recognise that the payment of a licence fee creates difficulties in families where resources are scarce. However, we must have a system that does not create undue hardship for people. We have a system in place and we must collect the licence fee. The Bill provides that people are given ample warning that there is a liability or debt that needs to be honoured and gives them every opportunity to pay it without penalising them too much. Court proceedings represent the last throw of the dice. Every effort will be made to reach an agreement with the person to pay the licence before court proceedings are even considered.