TV licence fee won’t apply to PCs, laptops and tablets

Television licence fees will not be applied to laptops or similar devices after a decision by Communications Minister Denis Naughten to reject department advice on the proposed charge.

The long-awaited broadcasting bill will go before Cabinet next week and includes notice of the collection of the licence fee being advertised due to low payment rate being paid by the public.

Government sources confirmed the bill, pending Cabinet approval, will scrap or reduce a levy for local radio stations, a move broadcasters have demanded for years.