Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

5. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on the TV licence reforms. [24428/24]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister provide an update to the House on the TV licence reforms? On 15 February, in response to a question I asked, the Minister said:

There is no fear of local and European elections. What I am concerned with is the future of public service media being put on a sure footing. That is my focus, not the politics involved or being fearful of elections.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Absolutely and I stand by that. We had to wait for the expert advisory committee reports to land and they were delayed. This is the only reason. It has absolutely nothing to do with the local or European elections. I am absolutely determined to take the decision we made at Cabinet, with a recommendation from the Government, before the summer recess because public service media is critical to a well-functioning democracy but it is also essential for cultural development, social cohesion and well-being. As such, it requires a funding model that provides long-term certainty, is sustainable and, vitally, protects the independence of media providers.

Such funding is not only crucial for our public service broadcasters, TG4 and RTÉ, but also for independent producers and the wider national, local and community broadcasters who are currently supported through the Sound and Vision scheme. Any new funding model will also need to support print and online media outlets delivering public service content. This will be delivered through the new local democracy and courts reporting schemes that are set to launch later this year.

A range of options has been considered through which this funding can be delivered, including Exchequer funding. As I have stated previously, and again in my reply to Deputy Munster earlier, what matters is that the option the Government selects is sustainable, publicly acceptable and protects media independence. Given the impact the RTÉ controversy has had on TV licence revenue since last July, a new model for funding public service content is of even greater importance now and the Government is committed to being the one that implements this much needed change. High-level discussions on the various options open to Government have continued to take place over the past year.

As I have said on many occasions, a final decision on reform of the funding model could not be made until the independent reviews into governance and culture and HR and related matters at RTÉ were completed. These reports have now been published. RTÉ has accepted in principle all of the recommendations and is preparing a detailed response to continue the necessary reform of the broadcaster. It is, therefore, timely that Government also proceeds with the reform required of the public service media funding model.

We will, as I have said before, make our decision before the summer recess. Any change to the model will require an implementation period, from both a legislative and administrative perspective. In the interim, I urge everyone who is required to have a TV licence to purchase or renew it so the public service content, which the TV licence supports across all broadcasters, can continue to be provided for the benefit of us all.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In response to the controversies that arose in RTÉ since June 2023 the Government established two expert advisory committees to lead independent reviews of the governance and culture in RTÉ and of the contractor fees, human resources and other matters in RTÉ. A commitment was given that these reports would be available in March. March ended 60 days ago. Where are the reports? In January and February, I raised concerns that a decision on these reports would not be out before the local elections because there is a split in the Government between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. I believe the Minister would have made a decision on the TV licence fee but she is being blocked because Fianna Fáil wants to bring in an additional charge. The Government is kicking the decision down the road because it is worried about politics and the European and local elections, and this is a delaying tactic.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy asked when the expert advisory committee reports will be published. They were published at the beginning of May. I brought them to Cabinet-----

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The decision.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I said in reply to the Deputy's colleague, Deputy Munster, when I brought the reports to Cabinet, RTÉ accepted all of the recommendations in principle. We as a Government accepted in principle the recommendations that relate to the Government or the Oireachtas joint committee. I announced that within six weeks an implementation plan would be brought to the Government. RTÉ is going through this. It is very important that we see how it will implement the recommendations. There are perhaps 101 recommendations for RTÉ and the rest are for us. As I said in reply to Deputy Munster earlier, I expect the six-week period will take us to approximately the last Cabinet meeting in June. The discussions on the TV licence funding model continue and I intend to do this before the summer.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The amount paid in fees has been getting lower every month since the scandals and crisis hit RTÉ, compared to the previous 12 months. This raises the question as to whether it has been accepted that people will not pay the TV licence fee. Is this the case? If so, why not scrap the fee? In the eight months from the beginning of the RTÉ scandal to April, almost €150,000 has been paid out in fines. Many people cannot afford a TV licence and they certainly cannot afford these fines. In the 20 months between the Future of Media Commission report recommending the scrapping of the TV licence and April, more than €500,000 was paid in fines by ordinary people. In the same period, almost 5,000 people received a conviction for non-payment of the licence fee. These figures are potentially even higher now. Every week that the Minister and the Government delay in making a decision, people are sent to court, receive fines and tie up the courts, judges and everyone else. A decision needs to be taken. This decision should be to scrap the TV licence and fund it through Exchequer funding.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to state very clearly that all of us who own a TV are obliged to pay a TV licence. It is the law of the land. People should continue to purchase or renew their licence so that RTÉ and others who benefit from the broadcasting fund can continue to provide us with quality public service content. The public reaction to the controversy may be understandable but the licence fee supports a range of content on TV and radio, from drama to sport to current affairs to light entertainment. It is vital to us as a society.

What is paramount is that we put in place a sustainable funding model for public service media. The future of media commission recommended Exchequer funding and the Government decided against it and instead to look at other options to reform the TV licence system. What I have said quite clearly is that given the impact of the controversy on TV licence revenues, the Exchequer model should be reconsidered. It is important to remember the Exchequer already provides significant funding to public service media at just over 60%. There is €70 million for free TV licences, €56 million for TG4, €16 million in interim funding to RTÉ and €6 million to the broadcasting fund. Clearly the Exchequer plays a significant role and we are not seeing any sort of interference. TG4 is almost entirely Exchequer-funded, with €56 million last year and €57 million this year. We never question that this is competing against other vital services.