Laois Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley has called on the Government to scrap the TV licence, and fund RTÉ and other public service media through direct Exchequer funding.
Sinn Féin have previously put forward a Dáil motion proposing to scrap the TV Licence, but that was voted down.
Since then, however, the cross party Oireachtas Media Committee have joined in Sinn Féin in recommending the abolition of the TV licence fee.
The Committee recommended the licence fee be replaced by exchequer funding, but Deputy Stanley has bemoaned what he called the Government’s decision to “ignore its own commission’s recommendations.’’
The statement from Deputy Stanley carry more weight than most opposition TDs as he is the Chairperson of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
In his role with PAC, Deputy Stanley has spent much time in the spotlight while scrutinising RTÉ on their most recent public scandals, centring around Ryan Tubridy and Dee Forbes amongst others.
“Financial scandals at RTÉ have rocked people’s trust and confidence in the national broadcaster and the TV licence,” Deputy Stanley said.
“The number of people refusing to pay has soared in the aftermath of these scandals.
“The total reduction in revenue generated by TV licence sales for the 12 month period between July 2023 and June 2024 amounts to €29,765,920, compared to the year before, prior to the scandals being uncovered.
“But people are still being brought to court for non-payment. Sixty people per day face prosecution for non-payment.
“13,000 people were summoned before the courts last year while no one has been held to account for the incredible waste of public money at RTÉ.”
Deputy Stanley has proposed following the models he believes have worked well in other countries.
“Our public sector broadcasters need to be properly funded to fulfil their mission and to do that, there must be a steady and adequate supply of funding,” he said.
“It is now time to act. The Government must scrap the TV licence and fund RTÉ and other public service media through direct Exchequer funding.”
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