Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I cannot accept the argument the Minister has made. It would be prudent to provide that the RTB would have to come back to this House to make the argument for the charging of a fee. The position may change in the future, but it is not acceptable at this stage to give that power to the RTB. It is a free service and it should remain free, unless there is a strong case to be made for charging for it. I fear the Minister is commercialising it in the sense that the RTB may have to fund itself, be self-sufficient or "wipe its face", to use all of the catchphrases. The House must reserve the power in legislation where a fee for a service is to be charged. Such a proposal must be brought to this House and the argument in favour of it made strongly. Until then it would be prudent for the legislators to maintain in legislation that the service will be provided free.