Vol. 530 No. 3
228 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she will announce her decision on the RTE request for a licence fee increase; if this decision will be brought to Dáil Éireann for debate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3761/01]
229 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the impact she believes a licence fee increase would have on the Irish broadcasting sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3764/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.
RTE's application for an increase in the television licence fee is being considered at present in my Department. As I have indicated before, I will bring any proposal for a change in the level of licence fee to Government as is the custom in these matters. If a decision to vary the level of the television licence fee is taken, it will be necessary for me to make statutory regulations, with the consent of the Minister for Finance under section 6(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926. Under section 6(4) of the same Act, I am obliged to lay any such regulation made before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as it is made. The section provides that if either House, within 21 sitting days from the date the regulation was laid before each House, passes a resolution annulling such regulation, such regulation shall be annulled accordingly.
The intention behind any increase that might be contemplated would be to maintain a high standard of public service broadcasting in this country. This is the impact that I would be hoping for if it is decided to increase the level of the fee.
