Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1264. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consult the public over increases to the television licence fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35015/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1277. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to raise the television licence fee; the status of discussions at present; if he has met with RTE specifically on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35089/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1264 and 1277 together.
I am not considering any increase to the current TV Licence fee and I have advised RTE of my position in the course of overall discussions on funding for the broadcaster.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have obtained Government approval to draft a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act, 2009, including amendments to allow for the tendering of TV Licence fee collection, and the proposed amendments are currently being considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny.
In tandem with this, I recently asked the Office of Government Procurement to issue a Request for Information to see what services the market may be able to offer in respect of TV Licence fee collection. The result of this will help inform any tender process once the legislative amendments are in place to provide for a procurement process.
In the meantime, there will be no change to the existing TV licence fee arrangements and An Post continues to work as my issuing agent in accordance with Section 145 of the Act.
Question No. 1265 answered with Question No. 1247.
