Media Minister wouldn’t ‘advise’ public on whether or not to pay licence price
T
he Minister for Media Catherine Martin stated she wouldn’t advise anybody on whether or not they need to or shouldn’t pay their TV licence price, however urged folks to recollect “the good of public-service broadcasting”.
There is a authorized obligation to have a TV licence, which prices 160 euro, for having a tv in a house or enterprise.
Approximately 85% of income from TV licence charges goes to RTE to hold out its public service broadcasting commitments.
A call on the funding of RTE has been paused within the wake of a scandal surrounding undisclosed funds to star presenter Ryan Tubridy.
Speaking to reporters after assembly the incoming director-general of the broadcaster, Ms Martin stated she was conscious of anecdotes of individuals claiming they might forego the annual fee because of the controversy, including that this was “of concern”.
Asked if she would urge folks to proceed to pay their TV licences, the Green Party minister stated: “I’m not going to advise anyone. We must remember the good of public service broadcasting, we must remember the staff when people are making these decisions.
“The staff who are hurting, the staff who feel betrayed, the staff who need RTE – it is their job of work and they provide that vital service.”
She stated she was open to participating with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe forward of the Budget on the matter.
Speaking later, her celebration chief, Eamon Ryan, stated he would encourage each family to pay the licence price.
“It is important. RTE has been a very successful public service broadcaster for the people of this country.”
He stated to cease paying would imply the lack of news, present affairs and sport programming.
“That would be really harmful and bad for our country.”
At the identical occasion, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stated the licence price is presently being collected in an inefficient or “wasteful” approach.
“I’ll certainly be paying the TV licence I always have and will continue to do so. Not just because it’s the law but also because it does fund public service broadcasting.
“I think I can understand people’s frustration but, you know, I don’t want to impose some form of collective punishment on everyone who works in RTE, everyone who works for RTE and a whole, wider sector and industry.”