Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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24. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update regarding his plans to introduce a broadcasting charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10233/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government commits to examining the role and collection of the TV licence fee in light of existing and projected convergence of technologies and to transforming the TV licence into a household based Public Service Broadcasting Charge to be applied to all eligible households and applicable businesses, regardless of the device used to access content or services.

The Minister is currently considering the Charge in the context of funding of public service broadcasting, arising from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's five year review of broadcasting, including a new system of determining the adequacy of funding for public service broadcasters and a revision of the current governance arrangements for advertising minutage.

In conjunction with this, the Minister is also considering possible amendments in relation to certain administrative and operational issues identified in the period since the Act came into effect.

Until the Minister has given full consideration to these matters, and brought proposals in that regard to Cabinet for decision, there will be no change to the current arrangements.