Vol. 554 No. 5
106 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Government has received an application from RTE for an increase in the licence fee; if so, the amount of increase sought; when the Government will make a decision on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17038/02]
To date no application has been received from RTE for an increase in the television licence fee. When the Government decided to grant an interim increase in the licence fee in July of last year it also agreed that it would consider granting a further increase when certain conditions had been met by RTE.
While I am aware of RTE's financial difficulties I am also clear that RTE as the national public service broadcaster must account in an open and transparent fashion for its use of the significant public moneys made available to it. Any application from RTE for an increase in the licence fee will be considered on its merits and having regard to the recommendations of the forum on broadcasting.
