Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

On Senator O'Toole point on non-Government motion No. 17 on the Broadcasting Act, the issue is not the charging of the levy but the amount involved. The matter needs to be fully reviewed. The Minister is doing this, as our parliamentary party was advised last night. It is important that the issue is dealt with because if it is not addressed, the increase will result in the closure of local radio stations, of which there is no doubt. The levy proposed is far too excessive. RTE receives approximately €200 million a year from the licence fee; local radio stations receive no such income. What is being proposed is not fair, especially in these difficult times. Therefore, the matter should be debated. I hope the Leader will arrange such a debate shortly and that the Minister will attend the House to discuss the matter.

The taxi drivers' strike has caused difficulty and great inconvenience. I recommend that Senators Norris and O'Toole move non-Government motion No. 2 on the Order Paper on taxi regulations in Private Members' time to enable us to discuss the issue.