Vol. 534 No. 4
48 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has been notified by the EU Commissioner for Competition, Mario Monti, of any complaint received regarding the administration of the television licence fee; her views on the merits of the complaint; if she will ensure that licence revenue here continues to be applied for public service broadcasting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10696/01]
My Department received notification in April 1999 that a complaint had been lodged with the European Commission which alleges infringements of Articles 92 to 94 of the treaty in respect of the funding both RTE and Teilifís na Gaeilge receive from the Exchequer. It is a matter in the first place for the Commission to decide on the merits or otherwise of the complaint. I understand that the Commission has received similar complaints in relation to the funding of public service broadcasters in a number of member states. I also understand that the Commission is currently drawing up internal guidelines to assist it in dealing in a consistent manner with complaints under state aid rules relating to public service broadcasters.
As I have indicated in responses to earlier questions in the House, in particular Question No. 347 of 12 December 2000, my position, which is a position shared by all the member states, is that public service broadcasting, as recognised by the Protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty, must be upheld and cannot be allowed to be undermined.
49 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she intends to publish the report commissioned from a company (details supplied) on the submission made by RTE regarding an increase in the licence fee; when she expects to make a decision on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10700/01]
I have no plans at present to publish the consultants' report. However, as I mentioned earlier today in response to Priority Question No. 30, I am awaiting further information from RTE, which will have to be independently reviewed and assessed before I can make a recommendation to Government on this matter. I am anxious to finalise my examination of the RTE application as quickly as possible.
