Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019
184. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the broadcasting levy; and the plans and timelines in relation to the introduction of the reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9943/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the broadcasting levy; and the plans and timelines in relation to the introduction of the reduction [9945/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra186. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the broadcasting levy; the plans and timelines in relation to the introduction of the reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9947/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the broadcasting levy; the plans and timelines in relation to the introduction of the reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9949/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 184 to 187, inclusive, together.
A number of Deputies have raised this issue with my Department and replies are in the process of being issued to all.
The position is that the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill which includes proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Levy provisions is currently at an advanced drafting stage by Parliamentary Counsel and is expected to be published in Q2 2019.
The Bill includes amendments to Section 33 and 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to allow for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to be allocated public funding from TV Licence fee receipts towards meeting its operating expenses. A further amendment to Section 33 provides criteria that the Authority can consider when determining the granting of exemptions, deferrals or reductions in the levy for individual broadcasters or classes of broadcasters. It is intended that the consequent reductions in levy contributions, up to a maximum of 50%, would be applied across the board by the BAI so that all broadcasters would benefit in equal proportion from the measure.
It is not possible to make changes to the existing levy provisions until the legislative amendments contained in the Broadcasting (Amdendment) Bill have been enacted and the BAI makes a new Levy Order to give effect to same.
