It is claimed the government is about to shelve the new broadcast charge until after the election next year.

The blanket fee is expected to cost around €160, and is designed to keep up with online streaming technology.

The proposed charge was billed as a replacement for the licence fee.

It would be imposed on all eligible households - regardless of whether they owned a television or not, and regardless of the device they use.

But according to the Irish Independent, it will not be introduced this side of the general election.

The paper says that reports to government will focus on efforts to reduce the €30m being lost each year to those who dodge the TV licence fee.

Efforts to clamp down on licence dodgers will reportedly include legislation being brought in by the Communications Minister Alex White to give more records of subscribers to satellite services - such as UPC and Sky - to An Post, who are in charge of fee collection.