Television Licence Fee.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2009

Thursday, 19 November 2009

Questions (160)

Tom Sheahan

Question:

160 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether it is equitable and fair that members of an organisation (details supplied) have to pay a television licence fee of €160 for every unit whereas a 100 bed hotel has to pay only one television licence; if he will rescind this charge in order that members of this organisation and Bord Fáilte approved pay for one television licence in line with their competitors in the hotel sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42411/09]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

Currently every premises in Ireland that has a television must have a television licence and no commercial television licence system operates. Section 144 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 provides for the introduction of regulations in relation to different classes of licences in respect of different classes of premises e.g. commercial premises. The future development of any regulations in this area will take the matters raised by the Deputy into account.