371 Deputy Seán Power asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the large number of television owners who do not have a television licence and the costs involved in policing same, his views on the introduction of a new scheme whereby televisions could only be sold to licence-holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41220/10]

The provisions relating to Television Licences are set out in Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009. In particular, section 144 of the 2009 Act allows me, as Minister, to make regulations in regard to certain arrangements concerning television licences. This includes, inter alia, regulations in respect of the form of a licence, the manner and terms on which a licence may be renewed, the circumstances in which a licence is granted, and the circumstances in which a licence may be amended, suspended or revoked.

The provisions of the Act do not, however, allow me the possibility of introducing a scheme such as that referred to by the Deputy. The introduction of such an arrangement would require an amendment to the Broadcasting Act, 2009 and I have no plans to amend the legislation at this time.