Vol. 513 No. 3
78 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to implement the 1996 Government decision to index the value of the television licence fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2367/00]
The Minister has no plans to introduce automatic index-linked increases in the television licence fee. Her view, and that of the Government, is that any proposed increases in the fee should be clearly justified on a case by case basis.
I am glad the Minister has clarified the matter. The previous Government, of which I was a member, recognised in justifying the indexing of the licence fee the value of the public service broadcasting remit of RTE and the necessity to have quality programming at all times. Is the Minister of State aware of comment in recent times about the future of RTE and concerns that the station will have a £20 million deficit this year? Is he aware that, when the broadcasting Bill is enacted, RTE will be running not two stations but five? How then is it proposed that an income stream be provided to enable RTE to carry out its public service broadcasting remit and to fulfill its national responsibilities?
The position outlined is exactly the justification for the Minister's decision to increase fees on a case by case basis. Index-linking would not do that and would leave us with the status quo. If there is a case for a larger increase it will have to be considered. The Minister is taking a decision to consider each case on its merits rather than using an automatic system which might give too much or too little depending on changing circumstances. Deputy Kenny has just illustrated a scenario whereby greater resources could be required. It is much wiser to deal with the matter on a case by case basis and make decisions, informed not by some formula of rote but by the requirements of public service broadcasting.
Would the Minister of State not agree that the Minister's position has been one of non-decision since her appointment? Nothing has been done to deal with this matter. Can he clarify what examination the Minister is making on a case by case basis in this regard? RTE currently operates two stations and provides £10 million to TG Ceathair. It will be required to run five stations when Digico and the Broadcasting Bill are implemented. No income stream has been provided for the company, which faces a deficit of £20 million this year.
Not a line.
What examination is being carried out by the Minister and how is it proposed that the national television station be enabled to carry out its responsibilities in terms of remuneration and a decent remit?
As the Deputy will be aware, there was an increase in the price of television licences in 1996. A firm decision has been made
There was no increase—
The Minister without interruption.
A decision was taken to index the licence fee.
The Government approved an increase of £8 in the licence fee with effect from September 1996.
It was to be index-linked thereafter.
I said there was an increase in television licence fees in 1996. A decision was made in principle to do something but it was never actually done.
It was held up by the present Government.
A decision was taken by the previous Minister who never followed it through. This Government has made a decision—
Please allow the Minister to conclude.
The decision was taken by the previous Government but not implemented by the present one. Will it be implemented now?
The Government's position is very clear from the Broadcasting Bill.
There is no decision.
There is a decision. We have decided not to index-link television licence fees for the very good reasons I outlined.
You are crucifying RTE.
Minister, I would prefer if you did not take questions by way of interruption.
There is no decision by Government.
The Government will make a decision in its own good time.
What decision?
I am not going to pre-empt the Government's decisions.
The Minister of State knows what the Government will do but he will not pre-empt it.
So RTE—
—more money than the Exchequer.
We must have some order, Deputy Kenny.
Deputy Kenny is pre-empting everything, including the Broadcasting Bill. It would be very wrong of me to pre-empt decisions by Government. This matter will be treated on its merits and not by some rote. That is a wise and sensible decision and is the way to approach the issue. Deputy Kenny knows it is the best decision because it allows the matter to be evaluated on the facts rather than being tied in to magic numbers decided by the consumer price index.
