Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
50. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she can outline the Government’s options, or if relevant, plans, regarding long-term funding for public service media, the licence fee; if she can outline any discussions that have taken place between herself and other relevant Ministers regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53582/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question relates to the Government's options, if any, and the plans regarding the long-term funding for public service media. Could the Minister outline the discussions that have been taking place between her and other relevant Ministers regarding this issue?
Public service media is a cornerstone of a healthy society and democracy. It educates, informs and entertains, and research shows that it enhances social, political and cultural citizenship and promotes social cohesion.
For this reason, the Future of Media Commission was tasked with making recommendations on sustainable public funding and other support to ensure media in Ireland remains viable, independent and capable of delivering public service aims.
The commission noted three main funding models; a TV licence, a universal charge or direct exchequer funding. While the commission recommended the latter, Government decided to establish a technical working group to examine options for the reform and enhancement of the current system. The working group submitted its report to me at the end of March 2023. While discussions with senior relevant Cabinet colleagues have been ongoing on the matter, the subsequent events at RTÉ meant that a final decision has been paused until the expert advisory committees that Government appointed to carry out the reviews into RTÉ have completed their work. Their reports are expected in February 2024.
While it would not be appropriate for me to discuss the details of the technical working group report until Government has completed its consideration of it, it is imperative we deliver a secure and sustainable source of funding. All options need to be considered, both those put forward by the technical working group and the Future of Media Commission's original recommendation. Our considerations will also need to take account of the recent decline in TV licence receipts and the continuing shift in media consumption patterns.
While previous Governments have not addressed this issue, this Government is determined to bring forward real change. I, as the Minister of State with responsibility, am committed to reform of the licence fee within the life span of this Government. As the Taoiseach has stated, this is needed to deliver effective reform and secure funding for public service media. Successive Governments have failed on this issue. It is my intention that legislation to underpin this issue will be prepared next year.
A future funding model must not only put RTÉ on a more sustainable footing but must also support other public service media providers and content producers to continue to provide high-quality public service content for the benefit of our entire society. In the meantime, it remains of vital importance that people continue to purchase their TV licence, which funds free-to-air, quality public service content for audiences in Ireland, including through the sound and vision scheme, which is open to all broadcasters.
The technical working group and the expert working group, which may be one and the same, reported earlier this year in March, as the Minister said. Afterwards, the debacle happened in RTÉ. Considering that most of the points were already presented in the report from the Future of Media Commission, there did not seem to be a reason a technical working group was needed to decide on which of the options the Future of Media Commission made.
When will we see a decision made by Government on the three options recommended by the Future of Media Commission? I believe it recommended the third option. When is a decision going to be taken now that the debacle in RTÉ has settled down to some degree? We already know what the TV licence income should be and it is up to Revenue to chase those who have not paid.
The technical working group was established last year and began work in September. It looked at enhancement and reform of the TV licence model. High-level discussions on the report had commenced before the summer, but the decision was paused in light of the controversy. I have said on many occasions since then, and earlier in my initial response, that for too long, Irish Governments have failed to address the question of how to fund public service broadcasting. All options remain on the table. I am determined that this Government will be the one that makes the decision. We are waiting for the reports of the two expert advisory committees. Unlike the other reports on RTÉ, these are the ones we have commissioned that will have actual recommendations with them. After we see the recommendations, I am hopeful we can make a decision as swiftly as possible. I will be seeking the co-operation of all Members of the House to help us grasp this nettle and fund public service media, because we certainly need it. It can be seen how much we depend on reliable sources of information.
The question here is when. There are three reports, one which the Minister has already received and two other reports she has mentioned, which need to be delivered to her for her to make a decision. When does she expect that delivery and, after that, when will a recommendation come to this House regarding the future funding of the public service content the Minister mentioned and the public broadcaster, RTÉ? What action will be taken now to encourage those who dropped off, as it were, paying their TV licence to pay the outstanding licence fee?
The two reports of the expert advisory committees are due in February. As I said, it is only the decision that has been paused. The discussions on the funding model continue. I hope to move as swiftly as possible. I am serious about doing this in the lifetime of this Government, so we cannot be waiting months and months after the expert advisory committees report back. Whatever model is decided will need legislation. My intention is to move swiftly after I receive the reports. Until then, as I said, what we have at the moment is the TV licence model. I encourage everyone to pay for this, not only because it is the law of the land but also because of what it supports, which is good quality public service content.
