Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason tourist accommodation providers must purchase a separate television licence for each self-catering house; if this situation runs contrary to EU legislation by giving an unfair advantage to hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses, which are only required to purchase one licence; his views on whether it should be possible to allow such an exemption to genuine, registered businesses providing self-catering accommodation for tourists, as opposed to personal use holiday homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35847/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Television licences are granted under Section 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926. This Section allows for the grant of a licence to a person to keep and have possession of a television set in a specified place.

I have recently submitted proposals for new broadcasting legislation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for the purposes of holding a public consultation on the proposals under the eConsultation initiative. These proposals include proposed amendments to the statutory basis for the television licence regime.

I propose to introduce a Broadcasting Bill into the Houses of the Oireachtas in 2007 in the light of the outcome of the consultation process.