I wish to raise the shocking increase in the levy on local radio stations announced yesterday by Coimisiún na Meán. As we know, local radio stations across the country are the beating heart of every community. They provide updates in times of emergency and keep us informed on issues of the day such as local democracy, justice, sports or community involvement. This levy is a devastating blow for local radio stations. Coimisiún na Meán is there to regulate radio stations and puts enough pressure on these independently-owned broadcasters as it is. However, to then follow it up with a 39% levy to further resource its regulation seems totally counterproductive. It is causing huge distress and frustration for local radio stations, many of which have contacted me, including Midwest Radio in my own area. I know others across the country are equally affected. Coimisiún na Meán needs to reverse this decision. I totally reject it. I have been in touch with the Minister on it. They are independent of it but it falls under the remit of the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan. There needs to be a total reversal of this and a way around it. We must support our local radio stations. They have gone through so many different challenges over the years, with constant innovation and, most recently, social media and other different challenges and headwinds the sector has faced. They are a valuable asset for local communities and to be penalised with a 39% increase and for that money then to be used to regulate these local radio stations further is totally counterproductive. It needs to be rejected by the House and needs to be reversed. I call on Coimisiún na Meán to reverse it. I call on the Minister to make a statement on it. We need to support our local radio stations. If we compare it with TV, those stations are levied at 1.21% of turnover compared with radio at 2.8%. It is totally unfair that broadcasters in local, independently-owned radio stations are being unfairly burdened with this levy. It needs to be rejected and I call for support across the House on it.