Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2006
194 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if persons who pay a television licence fee to view the State television channels, must pay a further subscription for these channels when accessing via satellite in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38156/06]
View answerTelevision licences are granted under Section 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926. This Section allows for the grant of a licence to a person for a fee to keep and have possession of a television set in a specified place.
Utilising revenues derived from the television licence fee and other Exchequer income, public funding is made available to allow for the provision of the television and radio services of RTÉ and TG4 on a national free-to-air terrestrial basis, as mandated by the Broadcasting Act 2001. In addition such services are made available to cable and satellite operators for transmission on their broadcast platforms. A person wishing to access services on such platforms must do so on the commercial terms set by the operators.
