Solution to RTÉ funding 'soon', as Chambers says licence fee shouldn't rise

[Tony Sweeney]

 Solution to RTÉ funding 'soon', as Chambers says licence fee shouldn't
rise
Making decision 'more important than the choice', says Taoiseach
SENAN MOLONY


Taoiseach Simon Harris has said a permanent solution to the RTÉ funding
crisis and the licence fee will soon be decided, with "no more sticking
plasters".
Mr Harris indicated that he agrees with Finance Minister Jack Chambers
that, one way or another, the fee will not go up.
"We intend to make a decision on this matter in July," Mr Harris said in
Brussels at the conclusion of an EU summit.
"I really think it's important we keep to that timeframe and that's what
I want to see happen. I believe it's what other party leaders want to
see happen as well."
Mr Harris said this had been an important week insofar as RTÉ had
submitted its implementation plan, its response to the recommendations
of two independent reports.
"That very much now means that the ball is back in our court in terms of
making a decision," he said.
"I've been honest about this. I have an open mind in terms of what the
right decision is, but I do have a couple of criteria or guiding principles.
"First, public service broadcasting is about not just RTÉ. There's lots
of examples of good public service broadcasting.
"Second, anything we do has to be sustainable, no more sticking
plasters. This has to be sustainable.
"Third, it does need to continue to be linked to the reform agenda.
"And fourth, it's really important that, whichever model you pick, we
don't put an additional financial burden beyond the current licence fee
level on families."
Mr Harris said there were two options on the table - a reformed licence
fee with a better collection mechanism, "which would enable the fee to
be the same as it is now or a little less", or direct exchequer funding.
He added that there is a "fair degree of overlap" between the two
courses because there was already a lot of direct funding to RTÉ.
"So for me, the most important thing is making a decision. You can make
a case for either option, but I intend for us to make that decision," he
said.
Asked about Mr Chambers' suggestion that the licence fee would at least
not go up from its current €160 level, the Taoiseach said: "I'm not
going to finalise the question there, but I think the point that Jack
made is an important one, and indeed it's been made by a number of people.
"If there's a more efficient way of collecting the TV licence fee, does
that actually mean that the people who go out and pay their bills all
the time and pay the licence fee can actually get a little reprieve in
terms of paying a little less? So that is definitely one option.
"The other option is direct exchequer funding. There's a credible case
for both. More important than which we pick is actually making the decision.
"I am fast learning that about being Taoiseach. It's about turning up
and making decisions, and we're going to make a decision in relation to
public service broadcasting."
Irish Independent