This is a short and straightforward Bill designed as an interim measure enabling existing financial arrangements in regard to RTE to be continued for a relatively short period.
I am advised that it must be enacted by 31st March, 1973, in order to provide statutory authority for the grant already paid to RTE during 1972-73 in respect of net receipts from broadcasting licence fees. Section 2 of the Bill provides for the continuance of the payment of grants equivalent to net licence fee receipts for a further period of two years ending on 31st March, 1974.
This opportunity is being taken to increase from £3 million to £4 million the limit for repayable advances which the Minister for Finance may make to RTE for capital purposes. Provision for this increase is made in section 1. The limit for advances was fixed at £2 million in the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960, but was increased to £3 million under the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1964. Exchequer advances totalling £2.951 million have already been made to RTE. As the balance of £49,000 un-drawn under existing legislation will not be sufficient to cover advances which will be required during 1973-74, an increase in the present limit is essential. It is desirable that the new limit should be high enough to cover any advances that are likely to be needed over the next couple of years. I cannot say at this stage how much will be required in this period but the extra £1 million now proposed compares with advances totalling £1.1 million made in the two years just ending.
The Bill was approved by the previous Government, and I understand that it was intended to introduce it much earlier—in good time to have it fully discussed by both Houses of the Oireachtas before now. The General Election upset these plans and it was not possible to introduce the Bill until the Dáil convened. In the circumstances, and, particularly in view of the deadline of 31st March, 1973, I hope that the House will agree to give me all stages today and that it will also support the motion which is on the Order Paper requesting the Seanad's concurrence, under Article 25.2.2º of the Constitution, in a request to the President to sign the Bill on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.
I know the Members of this House are not concerned with the paltry business of being re-elected but it has been my unhappy experience to meet aspirants for office in this House who are not held back by any such scruples, so I hope the Seanad will give me all Stages of this Bill today.
