Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
135 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when it is likely that RTÉ and the independent broadcasters will receive support through television licence fees or other means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25960/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra136 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which the revenue accruing from television licences is to be apportioned between RTÉ and independent broadcasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25961/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.
The Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 provides for the establishment of a fund from which grants may be paid by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland to support certain television and radio programmes. The Act provides that 5% of the net proceeds of television licence fees will be paid into the fund with effect from 1 January 2003. Since that date 95% of the net proceeds of the television licence fees have been paid to RTÉ.
The BCI is at present preparing a scheme through which the fund may be accessed by broadcasters and content producers. I expect the BCI to submit a draft scheme to me for my approval in the next few weeks. It is likely that any scheme will require State aid approval from the European Commission. Once a scheme has been approved it will be a matter for the BCI to administer the scheme. Accordingly, issues relating to timing of applications and decision-making processes will be a matter for the BCI. The fund is open to RTÉ, TG4 and broadcasters licensed by the BCI.
137 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options for the future of broadcasting and transmission here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25962/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy core broadcasting policy objectives are detailed in my Department's statement of strategy, 2003 to 2005. These objectives are: to create an environment that encourages the maintenance of high quality Irish radio and television services by both independent broadcasters and RTÉ; to secure a viable future for high quality public service broadcasting; and to seek to retain access to a range of high quality programming in analogue and digital form, on a universal and free-to-air basis.
My key priorities for achieving these objectives include the following: Developing the regulatory framework by bringing forward a Bill to provide for the establishment of a single content regulator for both public and private broadcasters and to establish RTÉ on the lines of a company under the Companies Acts; taking steps to provide for the establishment of TG4 as an independent entity; ensuring adequate public funding for RTÉ and TG4 so as that they can deliver on their statutory mandate; building on progress made in maximising the effectiveness of television licence fee collection; developing proposals to ensure that in a digital era Irish viewers continue to enjoy access to a range of high quality programming; and bringing forward proposals for the future licensing of radio services in Ireland.
