Denis Naughten to introduce reduced levy fee for independent radio stations

The Communications Minister has confirmed he will be signing off on legislation to reduce a levy fee by 50% for Independent Radio Stations next week.

The move is seen in the industry as a major breakthrough in reforming Irish Broadcasting.

The savings will allow stations to invest in more resources and training to evolve their on-air and digital offering.

Minister Denis Naughten says he will be pushing the Bill through by the summer.

"My intention would be to have it enacted before the summer recess," said Minister Naughten.

"It was my intention originally to have it enacted before Christmas as you know there has been a hold-up with the Joint Oireachtas Committee but now that it will hopefully come through that process next week it is full steam ahead."

@DenisNaughten officially opens @RadioDaysIrl conference in @thegibsonhotel #RDIrl pic.twitter.com/1YybnSUG3v

— IBIreland (@IBIreland) February 22, 2018

Speaking at the Radio Days Conference in Dublin, Minister Naughten says, with four out of five people listening to radio everyday it is important to support the people behind the scenes to make it happen.

"We've bucked the trends globally particularly in a digital economy, a very connected digital economy where people are still listening to radio on a daily basis.

"I, as minister, have acknowledged that by introducing a reduction on the levy."