Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2023
229. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she believes enough is being done to promote the importance of paying the TV licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51813/23]
View answerThe TV licence funds a broad range of public service content, enabling essential news and current affairs programming, as well as supporting the creation of a high quality content on culture, sport, entertainment, music and more. It supports not only RTÉ, but also content created and broadcast by many independent producers on a range of national and local broadcasters. As such it remains critically important that people continue to pay the TV Licence fee. It is not only required by law, it underpins availability of public service content which is of paramount importance to our democracy and society.
This was seen very clearly during the COVID-19 pandemic and in ongoing efforts to tackle disinformation through the availability of trusted content.
The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides the statutory basis for the TV licence, including provisions on the obligation to be in possession of a TV licence. The legislation also provides for An Post acting as the statutory issuing agent for licence fee collection.
In fulfilling this role, An Post, makes every effort to promote the importance of purchasing a TV Licence, ensure compliance and reduce evasion. An Post issues a number of reminder notices to householders and in 2022 conducted 427,303 visits. While it is an offence not to possess a TV licence, prosecution through the courts is a last resort. An Post also offer a number of payment channels and options to facilitate households in purchasing or renewing their TV licence.
Although RTÉ is not the TV licence issuing agent, nor the sole beneficiary of TV licence receipts, RTÉ also plays an active role in the promotion of the purchase of TV Licences. RTÉ airs adverts to remind the public of this statutory obligation to purchase a TV licence, and more importantly the high-quality content which the licence fee supports.
Government has committed to reform of the TV Licence and to making it a secure and sustainable source of revenue for public service media, but until those reforms have been enacted, the current legislation remains in force.
I have stated very clearly on many occasions that not only is there a legal obligation to have a television licence, but I have also underlined the benefits which public service media brings to our society. I also believe that is important that all public representatives should highlight the important role that the TV licence plays in funding the continued free-to-air availability of quality public service content for Irish audiences across a range of broadcasters.
