Mary Lou McDonald calls for TV licence to be scrapped

Mary Lou McDonald said the introduction of a system of direct Exchequer funding for RTÉ is the best way to rebuild public trust and ensure a strong future for public service broadcasting Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

Mary Lou McDonald has called for the scrapping of the TV licence, claiming the Government's approach to RTÉ is "a merry-go-round of contradictions" that is "driving people up the walls".

The Sinn Féin leader has said her party want to abolish the controversial TV licence and invest Exchequer funding into supporting public service media in Ireland to put the national broadcaster on a "sustainable footing".

She added that the introduction of a system of direct Exchequer funding for RTÉ is the best way to rebuild public trust and ensure a strong future for public service broadcasting.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan told the Dáil that the Government will "absolutely" deliver a new format of support and funding for all broadcasting and not just for RTÉ.

However, he said that a decision on the future funding of media was delayed in the wake of the controversies around Ryan Tubridy's pay, spending on Toy Show The Musical and the various barter accounts that had been used by RTÉ.

But with tens of thousands of households now refusing to pay the TV licence, Ms McDdonald hit out at the Government for being "all over the place".

The Government's position is a merry-go-round of contradictions and mixed messages that is driving people up the walls.

She told the Dáil: "The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, says she is in favour of abolishing the licence and replacing it with Exchequer funding but the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, says the TV licence should remain a core part of RTÉ funding and suggests that Revenue might collect the fee.

"Meanwhile, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, says the licence should remain in place and that he is not in favour of replacing it with direct Exchequer funding. Only yesterday, the Taoiseach described the licence as 'outdated' and said that it belongs to a different time.

"One can see why people's heads are spinning," the Sinn Féin president said.

Responding, Mr Ryan said two final reports on governance issues at RTÉ are due to be published in February and these will allow the Government to "come to a conclusion of that process and set out the future payments and supports for RTÉ, and, indeed, for other media organisations, through whichever mechanism, be that through direct Exchequer or household payments or whatever other arrangement we will decide upon."