Vol. 483 No. 5
16 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will give details of the television licence fee for 1998 in accordance with the indexation formula agreed on the occasion of the most recent raising of the licence fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20766/97]
I have decided not to proceed with the annual indexation of the television licence fee as I do not believe that automatic increases in the licence fee are in the interests of viewers or indeed of RTE as an organisation. I believe that increases in the television licence fee should be sought and justified by RTE when it believes they are necessary and that each application should be considered by the Government on its merits. RTE has been so advised.
