Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome reports today that the Minister, Deputy White, is to propose at Cabinet tomorrow that the broadcasting charge should not proceed. That charge was to replace the television licence by extending it to people who did not have a television. It seemed to me to be a strange part of public finances. We asked the then Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, in the debate on it at the time if the dog licence would apply to people who did not have a dog. It is a strange principle in public finances and I am glad that it appears that the Minister, Deputy White, intends to propose that it be postponed, at least until after the election.

On broadcasting matters, next Saturday, and Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú should be making this contribution rather than me as he is much better qualified to do so, Donncha Ó Dúlaing will step down after more than 50 years in Irish broadcasting. We think of all his great works for charity, the Choctaw Indians and every county in this country. He ranks with the great tradition of broadcasters like Ciarán Mac Mathúna and Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin. I wish him well and thank him for his career and for introducing so many people to what was for him the magic of the era of Jack Lynch and Christy Ring. His has been a notable career in broadcasting and I am proud to acknowledge that.