As I indicated previously, RTE lodged a formal outline application with me on 5 October 2000 for an increase of £50 in the television licence fee. On 31 October 2000, RTE lodged detailed documentation in support of the application. My Department engaged PriceWaterhouseCoopers to advise on the application.
The consultants' report was received in late January 2001. During the course of their work, PriceWaterhouseCoopers sought and received a considerable amount of further information from RTE in support and justification of its application. The report identified a number of significant issues with the RTE application that were not resolved by the further information supplied by to the consultants. These issues were of sufficient significance as to preclude any submission by me to Government in the absence of additional information from RTE.
I have had meetings with the chairman of the authority arising from the findings in the consultants' report. The director general of RTE was present at one of these meetings. In addition, at my request, PriceWaterhouseCoopers met the chairman and senior management of RTE to set out the type of information that RTE needs to provide in the form of an additional submission to address the issues identified by the consultants. RTE has indicated that the additional information will be supplied towards the end of this month.
I wish to bring this matter to Government for decision at the earliest possible date. However, I cannot consider doing so until RTE has provided the necessary additional information and it has been objectively and independently examined.