Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader for a debate on the decision of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to present a budget of €7.6 million for 2010. The authority intends to levy the broadcasting sector, radio and television stations, to raise the finance needed by it. The only way radio and television stations can raise income is by way of advertising which decreased by approximately 30% last year and is predicted to fall further this year. If radio stations have to pay a levy of approximately €90,000 a year to the authority, this could be financially crippling and result in some closing down or letting workers go. I have spoken on many occasions in the House on the subject of employment and job creation. I refer to section 37(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009. It reads:

The chief executive, following the agreement of the Authority, shall not later than 30 September in each year, submit

estimates of income and expenditure to the Minister in respect of the subsequent three financial years, in such form as may be required by the Minister...

The Minister is not responsible for deciding the budget——