asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state how many licences have been granted for the use of wireless receiving sets within the Saorstát; whether in view of the advantages afforded to listeners-in by the British Broadcasting Co. at a fee of ten shillings he will consider the advisability of withdrawing or reducing the licence duty of one pound to Irish wireless users, pending the issuing of the official statement regarding the installation of an Irish Broadcasting Station, or alternatively whether he will consider the allocation of the total sum received as licence fees to a fund to be devoted to the subsidising of an Irish broadcasting service.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DUTY ON WIRELESS SETS.
During the year ended the 31st March last 2,805 wireless receiving licences were issued, of which 520 were for the half-yearly period, 1st October-31st March.
The annual licence fee of one pound was sanctioned by the Minister for Finance in accordance with the recommendation of the Special Committee of the Dáil on Broadcasting, whose report was adopted by the Dáil. In the circumstances I do not feel justified in abolishing or reducing the fee, pending a decision on the broadcasting question.
The question whether any part of the amount received for fees can be allocated to the subsidising of a broadcasting station cannot at present be determined, but the point will not be lost sight of.
Will the other recommendations of that Committee which were ratified by the Dáil also receive the same amount of consideration and enforcement?
Yes, they are under consideration.