TV licence fee will be here for some time yet, Micheal Martin says

The RTE sign outside the broadcaster’s headquarters in Donnybrook (PA)

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said that the TV licence fee model will be here “for some time”, and he has concerns about direct exchequer funding for RTE.

He said that direct funding could be reduced by future governments and lead to a “tug of war” between media and the State.

He said he believes the Revenue Commissioners should collect the 160-euro-a-household licence fee, a role currently held by An Post, but accepted there were different views in Cabinet and in the Oireachtas.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said that he believes the TV licence fee should be kept, but said he had some concerns about Revenue collecting the TV licence as it “only collect taxes”.

Ministers have committed to making a decision on a future funding model for RTE during this government term, as TV licence fee revenues plummet following a financial and governance crisis at Ireland’s public service broadcaster.

In the wake of the scandal, RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst committed to reducing its highest earners’ fees, invest in digital and technology, and cut spending this year by 10 million euro.

The number of TV licences bought last year fell by 13% compared to 2022, according to figures from the Department of Media, resulting in a drop in revenue of 19 million euro.

Asked about one proposal to raise revenue through a 10-15 euro monthly levy on broadband bills, as reported in The Business Post on Sunday, Mr Martin said that it had not been presented to government and would require “very serious consideration”.

“I think the licence fee will be here for some time yet, because an alternative will take time,” he told RTE Radio.

“I have a problem with total Exchequer funding for media generally, because I think there is no demarcation line then between government and media, in terms of the independence of the media, and in a free society and in a democratic society, I have real reservations about media generally been funded by government in its entirety.

“And that’s not just RTE, because as you know, whatever new funding arrangement emerges, has to fund more than RTE, it has to fund public service content and other stations or also in the print media.

“The licence fee, I’d have to be stress this is, right now for the remainder of this year and perhaps even next year before we get new arrangements in place, key and essential, and we have to reaffirm people’s need to pay their licence fee to support public service broadcasting.”

Mr Martin was also asked about speculation that his name is among those being considered as the next president of the European Council after Charles Michel announced he was stepping down.

He said: “That’s a very interesting position for anybody… I mean in terms of look, that doesn’t arise in my case at all.”

Asked if he was ruling himself out, he said: “I’m going forward for the next general election, so I’ll be running in the next general election.”

Asked if that meant he would not want to be considered if someone were to “knock on his door”, he said: “Well, no-one has come knocking on my door, it is a very prestigious position, but I won’t be going forward for that. I’m leading the party into the next general election.”

Asked about his long career in politics and his future, he said: “I’m in a robust enough condition. I still have an appetite for politics, for decision-making for the people, really, to try and see can we improve situations.

“I still get angry and frustrated at things that are not being done and it’s very much part of my DNA to commit to public service and to be involved, so I don’t have an end date in sight yet, no.”