Varadkar encourages public to pay TV licence fee as RTÉ funding is hit

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar urged people to pay their licence fees (Niall Carson/PA)

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has appealed to members of the public to pay their TV licence as reports suggest the national broadcaster has lost millions in funding through the fee since a scandal over undisclosed payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy.

There is a legal obligation for TV owners to pay the €160 licence, with 85% of revenue from the scheme going to RTE to carry out its public service broadcasting commitments.