I want to raise the issue of the increase in the broadcast levy. We have a media Minister who is not happy that the wrong people got too much airtime during the fuel protests and wanted Coimisiún na Meán to investigate. We then had his line manager, the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, coming out and saying there was no need for an investigation. After a huge backlash supporting freedom of the press, the media Minister then backtracked on his threat. He then signed off on a €20,000 pay rise for the RTÉ boss, Kevin Bakhurst.

Today we hear that the broadcast levy for small radio stations will increase by 39% and in some cases that translates to €14,000. The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, IBI, is saying it represents a hike of thousands of euro and that it results in a cumulative increase charge of 69% in two years. No warning was given and no notice. I am calling on the media Minister, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, to intervene on this levy and to come in for statements before this House.

Small, local stations are doing great work. They are doing it on a shoestring and for some it is simply unaffordable. Do not put them on the road. Many rural people rely on their local stations as company. RTÉ was bailed out for €750 million and was rewarded for bad behaviour, slush funds, flip-flops and for wasting taxpayers' money. This is a threat to local radio stations and we need the Minister in to discuss this.