Broadcasting charge due in 2014 at earliest

THE planned household broadcasting charge to replace the TV licence fee will not be introduced until 2014 at the earliest.

The controversial measure would see all households and businesses having to pay a public broadcasting charge, even if they do not own a TV or access RTÉ via the internet.

But opposition TDs argued that the charge was an excuse for another new stealth tax.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte said difficulties in establishing an accurate database of those to be charged meant it was “unlikely to be in place before next year”.

However, a statement from his department said it would “not be in a position to begin the implementation of any new charging system before 2014 at the earliest”.

Mr Rabbitte said it would be difficult to “strip out” those that genuinely do not own a TV or computer from those who are simply evading paying the TV licence. “A huge number of the population now get their news not from sitting down and watching the 9 o’clock news but accessing the arrangements that the public service broadcaster has put in place (online).

“Clearly, when we settle on the model, and when I’m ready to come to Government with it, I am going to have to run it past the Attorney General. I will have to make sure it’s as legally firm as possible,” he said.

Mr Rabbitte said his department was examining four other countries in different stages of transition to a broadcasting charge. Ireland would not be “reinventing the wheel” by introducing the measure.

He suggested the charge could be less than the current cost of a TV licence.

The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI), the representative body for independent commercial radio broadcasters, welcomed the charge, but called on the minister to fulfil the commitment in the Programme for Government to undertake a full review of the funding of broadcasting.

Head of corporate communications with RTÉ Kevin Dawson stressed RTÉ had public service obligations others did not have.

“Of course, the choice is increasing and we are in a competitive and pluralist market, but 47 of the top 50 viewed programmes were on RTÉ,” he said.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said his party was angered by the plan to tax every person with the new levy.

“It always grates with me that we have Labour ministers, totally in contradiction of what should be their core values, bringing in these flat taxes, these regressive taxes, that are going to affect every single person.”

* Q. What other countries is the department looking at which have adopted a similar approach?

A. The department initially examined the situation in 17 EU and non-EU countries. Particular focus was given to Germany, Finland, Iceland and Switzerland, as they were all in the process of developing a household charge for PSB funding.

* Q. Will inspectors be used to police payment of the charge, in a similar manner to the TV licence?

A. The question of enforcement will be considered in detail when the charging model to be developed is agreed

* Q. Will the broadcasting charge apply to a holiday home, granny flat, caravan?

A. The issue of exemptions under any new Irish system is one which will have to be given detailed consideration when the model to be developed is agreed. That said, the current list of exemptions is likely to continue to apply, eg, those people who are entitled to the Household Benefit Package.

* Q. Will the monies generated by the charge be distributed in the same manner as the TV licence fee?

A. The Programme for Government commits to a review of “the funding of public and independent broadcasters to ensure a healthy broadcasting environment in Ireland”. However, the current exercise relates purely to the manner of collection.

* Q. Do people in areas with poor broadband access have to pay the charge?

A. The proposed Public Service Broadcasting Charge is not a device-dependent charge.

* Q. If someone does not use a TV, computer or laptop but accesses content through an Smartphone, does the charge still apply?

A. The proposal is that the Public Service Broadcasting Charge would be applied to all eligible households and businesses, regardless of the manner in which public service broadcast content is accessed.

* Q. If households can prove they do not use the public broadcaster through any medium, are they still liable for the charge?

A. All households and businesses will be subject to the charge, except for those that are specifically exempted (see above).

* Answers supplied by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.