Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) was established on 1st October 2009. The Authority is a content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters.

Section 124 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 allows for the Authority to recommend in a report to the Minister an annual licence fee modification. This recommendation is to be based on a review on the extent to which RTÉ has fulfilled its commitments in respect of its public service objects stated in its annual statement of performance commitments for that financial year and the adequacy or otherwise of public funding to enable the corporation to meet its public service objects.

A review of RTÉ's 2009 public service commitments has been carried out by the BAI, the findings of which will be discussed at the next meeting of the Authority's Board on 13 December. It is expected that the Authority will be forwarding a report on this matter to my Department following this meeting.

In relation to easy-pay methods, An Post's 'Easypay Direct Debit Plan' allows people to spread their payments for their TV licence over the year – with options for biannual, quarterly or monthly payments. The monthly option which costs €13.33 per month has grown with over 2,000 new people signing up for this option last month. To avail of the Direct Debit Scheme a person must complete a mandate form which they can request from their local TV Licence records office or can download from www.tvlicence.ie. A bank account is required for this option.