Decision on TV licence hike due in weeks

TELEVISION viewers will learn within weeks if their annual licence is to rise by €7 to €165 to keep pace with inflation.

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan is weighing up whether RTÉ deserves the fifth successive rise in as many years to cover inflation at 4.6%. The current fee is €158.

The possible rise comes after independent Mayo TD Beverley Flynn reached a €1.25 million settlement with RTÉ in July after running up €2.84m in costs in her failed libel action against the broadcaster.