Vol. 529 No. 3
130 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the terms of reference given to the consultants appointed to review the application by the RTE Authority for an increase in the annual television licence fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2867/01]
131 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she is in receipt of a report from the firm of consultants appointed by her Department to review the application by the RTE Authority for an increase in the rate of the annual television licence fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2868/01]
I propose to take Question Nos. 130 and 131 together.
The consultants were asked to examine and report on the application for a licence fee increase submitted by RTE with particular reference to the financial and market assumptions on which the application is based, and RTE's current overall financial position, having regard to the following: the functions and general duties of the authority as laid down in the broadcasting legislation since 1960, as proposed to be further defined in the Broadcasting Bill, 1999; the impact of the transformation process being implemented in RTE and the introduction of new broadcasting technologies and delivery platforms, particularly digital terrestrial television, on the finances of the organisation and the proceeds from the sale of RTE's shareholding in Cablelink and from the proposed sale of the transmission network.
In particular, the consultants were asked to: comprehensively analyse and offer an opinion on the key arguments and assumptions in RTE's submission supporting its case for a IR£50 increase in the television licence; comment on the progress being made by RTE on the implementation of the transformation process and identify where cost savings arising have been taken into account in RTE's application; offer opinions as to the range of fee increase that could be objectively justified on the basis of their examination to maintain present quality output in radio and television in accordance with RTE's statutory remit and fund the establishment of new services in the digital era.
I have received the report of the consultants which is receiving careful examination in my Department. My proposals will be brought to Government at the earliest possible date.
