Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 April 2018
52. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline and nature of the tendering process he plans to introduce for the collection of television licence fees. [18002/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 145 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 defines 'issuing agent' as An Post "or another person designated by the Minister" under Section 145 (3) of the Act.
The Act does not currently provide for the tendering of licence fee collection and I obtained Government approval in May 2017 for the drafting of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill which includes an amendment to allow for tendering of licence fee collection.
The Bill was examined under pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment who published their report on 8th March. My Department and the OPC are considering the Report in the context of the drafting process which is now underway. The Bill is on the list of priority legislation for this session.
