Direct exchequer funding must replace current TV licence model - Martin Kenny TD

Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny has called on TDs across the northwest to support his party's proposals to scrap the TV licence and fund RTÉ and other public service media through direct Exchequer funding.

The Sligo Leitrim TD was speaking as Sinn Féin published a policy document outlining their response to the RTÉ scandals, and announced a Dáil motion on the issue to be dated this week. 

Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said, "Financial scandals at RTÉ have rocked people's trust and confidence in the national broadcaster and the TV licence.

"The number of people refusing to pay has soared in the aftermath of these scandals. 

“Sixty people per day face prosecution for non-payment of their TV licence. A staggering 13,000 people were summoned before the courts last year – yet no one has been held to account for the incredible waste of public money at RTÉ.

"Government parties are actively considering replacing the licence fee with a new household charge to be collected by Revenue. They are determined to continue seeing people prosecuted for non-payment.

"This needs to stop, and we need a funding model that delivers and sustains vibrant and diverse public sector broadcasting and an independent media sector.

"My Sinn Féin colleagues Thomas Gould and Pearse Doherty have today published our proposals in a new document – Delivering sustainable public sector broadcasting and an independent media sector.  We are also bringing forward a Dáil motion on this issue this week.

"I am calling on Government TDs in Sligo, Leitrim, and across the wider northwest, to support our proposals to abolish the licence fee with immediate effect.

“We must instead see directly invested Exchequer funding in a platform-neutral Media Fund.  This fund would support RTÉ and TG4 as well as public service content production and activities of commercial, local and community providers, and introduce a legal amnesty from prosecution for those who have not paid their licence fee.

"The public wants decisive action on this. They have had enough of the mixed messages from the government.  

"It is now time to act. The Government must scrap the TV licence and fund RTÉ and other public service media through direct Exchequer funding.”