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Renewed call for TV licence fee to be spread to independent sector

TDs have been reacting to a new report, calling for all public service broadcasting to be fu...
Newstalk
Newstalk

08.43 30 Sep 2015


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Renewed call for TV licence fe...

Renewed call for TV licence fee to be spread to independent sector

Newstalk
Newstalk

08.43 30 Sep 2015


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TDs have been reacting to a new report, calling for all public service broadcasting to be funded through the television licence fee.

The independent report commissioned by the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) shows a number of stations around the country are producing programming that can be classified as public service content.

However, it shows 87% of the monies collected from the TV licence fee are being allocated to RTÉ and TG4.

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The IBI says the Government needs to replace the existing television licence fee with a broadcasting charge, and crack down on evasion - which sees annual losses of €30m.

The Chairman of IBI, John Purcell, told Newstalk Breakfast earlier it is time to overhaul the system.

Laois-Offaly TD Brian Stanley says local radio stations need help.

Longford-Westmeath TD Willie Penrose says he will raise the issues with the communications minister.

Limerick TD Patrick O'Donovan says the licence fee legislation is from the middle of the last century.

Longford-Westmeath TD James Bannon says there needs to be a more level playing field.

And Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin cannot understand why this issue has not been dealt with by the current Government.

While the Communications Minister Alex White told Newstalk.com's Páraic Gallagher no changes in the TV licence structure will be made before the general election.

But he says replacing the fee with a broadcasting charge could be a means to disperse more money to the independent sector.

The call comes following an IBI survey yesterday, which found that 91% of Irish people listen to radio every day.

Among the findings of the survey were that radio listening is outstripping other forms of audio between 7.00am until 7.00pm.

In a typical day, more time is spent listening to radio than to any other form of audio with live radio at 54.3%, listen back at 6.3%, streamed music at 8.6% and people listening to their own music is at 21.5%.

It also found that 78% of people continue to listen to audio via traditional FM radio.


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