asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will accept the television licence fee in two instalments, one payable in January and the other in June.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Television Licence Fee.
25.
I regret to say that the Deputy's suggestion is not practicable. Collection by instalments was very carefully considered when the amount of the licence fee was being fixed but the idea was rejected because it would add substantially to the cost of collection.
Is the Minister aware that most people are up to their eyes in debt immediately after Christmas? They will not have the £4 and it will cost the Minister a considerable amount to collect his £4. If he weighs that against the cost of collection, he might consider the proposal a good one.
Could the Minister say what the cost of collection is?