Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on new methods of collecting television licences; the methods available to him to collect TV licences; his views on whether any new method needs to be mandatory; his further views on whether the jailing of more than 50 people in 2008 for non-payment of the TV licence is a waste of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18690/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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There are various methods of collection of television licence fees in other countries which could be adopted here. While such other systems may have advantages, I have not yet formed any conclusive opinions of which new method, if any, would be appropriate for this country.

In relation to the imprisonment of persons, I have introduced two new provisions in the Broadcasting Bill 2008, which I anticipate will reduce the necessity for criminal proceedings in respect of the non-payment of the television licence fee.

The first provision in section 149 of the Bill proposes an on-the-spot fine mechanism to be deployed at the option of the television licence collection agent. In essence this mechanism provides that if a person buys a television licence within a set time period and pays a penalty equivalent to one-third of the annual television licence fee, then no court proceedings will be taken, thus reducing the necessity for court proceedings.

The second provision which is proposed in section 150(3) empowers the television licence collection agent to pursue as a civil debt an amount owing in respect of a television licence fee.