Broadcasting charge not so smart

With respect to Minister Pat Rabbitte’s proposal to inflict a broadcasting charge (tax) on every household detailed in the current property tax database, I would like to make the following observations, as one of the supposed cavemen he constantly refers to.

Firstly, Mr Rabbitte, if you are concerned that individuals with smartphones and computers will access RTÉ services via their online media player for free why not issue your new licence or whatever variation on same you propose (it has still not been clarified what you propose to describe this new tax as), why not issue an individual access password with every “licence issued”, like the state imposed restrictions on Irish users of BBC player, therefore preventing any free-loading cavemen accessing RTÉ player’s valuable content. Believe me, Mr Rabbitte, nobody would be bothered in trying to back this site.

I can now hear Mr Rabbitte shriek that these cavemen would still have access to the RTÉ radio network via their smartphones, computers, or horror or horrors the wireless that has been sitting on the kitchen workbench for decades. If the Minister requires more recent clarification on the current status of the kitchen wireless he should consult SI 211 of 1972 to confirm the exempt status of same. It may also be advisable to peruse SI 292 of 2005 and SI 197 of 2005 (SI means statutory instrument by the way, minister).