It is said the TV licence fee system will be maintained but “overhauled”.
The Government has said it will not eliminate TV licence fees despite a recommendation from a media commission to do so.
In September 2020, the Future of Media Commission was established by the Government and was tasked with developing recommendations on sustainable public funding and other supports to ensure media in Ireland remains “viable, independent and capable of delivering public service aims”.
On top of this, the commission was also asked to make specific recommendations in relation to RTÉ’s financing.
Published on Tuesday (12 July), its report contains a total of 50 recommendations, one of which was that the TV licence be phased out in 2024.
“From 2024, the source of public funding for PSM [Public Service Media] should change from the current system of TV licence fee combined with general Exchequer funds to a system based entirely on general Exchequer funds,” the report reads.
Of the 50 recommendations, however, the Government has announced it will adopt in principle 49, proposing “an alternative approach to the commission’s recommendation on a new funding model”.
This would see the TV licence fee system remain but be overhauled.
“The government has decided that in order to maintain a direct link between media and the public they serve, and to minimise the risk of actual or perceived political interference in media independence, that the TV licence will be maintained but overhauled,” a Government statement reads.
“Work will commence immediately on setting out the legislative and administrative changes required to ensure the TV licence system is more equitable, relevant and sustainable.
“The reform of the TV licence will aim to align with changing viewing habits, tackle evasion, streamline the collection and payment regime, and thereby provide a more sustainable level of funding for the sector.”
In the statement, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar is quoted as saying that the decision to maintain but overhaul the licence is the “correct one”.
“It guarantees a dedicated and more secure funding stream for public service broadcasting and ensures that funding for the public service is ring-fenced,” he added.
Echoing this sentiment was Taoiseach Micheál Martin when speaking at the publication of the report, who said:
“In my view, the recommendation around eliminating the licence fee and replacing it in its entirety, plus additional funding – so one could potentially be looking at an Exchequer contribution of €300 million per annum – was not realistic and in the current fiscal climate is not something that finance or public expenditure could greet.
“I understand that fully but also I think from the ring-fencing perspective, I think would be dangerous for democracy.”
Main image via Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
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