Minister to review RTE TV licence system

The Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte has promised to look at ending the situation where RTE is funded by the licence fee and also advertising revenue.

Mr Rabbitte said he will do so as part of plans to change the licence fee system into a new household charge.

But speaking at a 'Learning Waves' conference in Dublin the Minister said, given the population in the Republic of Ireland, it may not be possible to have RTE funded purely from the licence fee as happens with the BBC.

Mr Rabbitte said: "If you were to compare here to the neighbouring island in terms of the BBC, the revenues are immensely different.

"There are requirements imposed by statute on RTE, but I am quite happy to look at the totality of the situation if we do move from a licencing system to some kind of a household charge."