TV licence is 'law of the land' and must be respected, says minister

Michael McGrath said that last year over €130 million was collected "in the worst of times in terms of RTÉ's reputation". Picture: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

The Finance Minister said he stands by his view that long-term funding for RTÉ cannot be 100% through the Exchequer.

Michael McGrath said he accepts there is a need for reform or even fundamental changes to the funding model.

The Government is actively working on the matter and Mr McGrath said he believes that reform will happen within the lifetime of the current government.

However, there will not be an alternative to the TV licence this year as any new model will take time to legislate.

There was a considerable decline in the number of licence fees paid in 2023 after the controversy surrounding the broadcaster's finances.

However, the minister said that most people are paying with over €130 million collected last year "in the worst of times in terms of RTÉ's reputation".

"Until we reach a decision and we replace it with a new charge of some kind then the licence fee remains the law of the land and we have to respect that," he told RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland.

Mr McGrath said that he is reluctant to get rid of any stream of income that would force RTÉ and other public service broadcasting to compete in the annual estimates process for funding alongside healthcare, education, and other areas of vital public services.

He said that finding money in the annual estimates process is very challenging and it would be a huge amount of money.

To do so would also put public service broadcasting at the mercy of the government of the day which he said is not healthy for democracy.

We live in a time where public service broadcasting is becoming more and more important to our democracy, he said.