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Calls To Scrap TV License Fee Following RTÉ Payments Scandal

Monday, 3 July 2023 10:34

The State broadcaster continues to be in the political spotlight.

There's a call to scrap the TV licence fee in the wake of the RTE payments scandal. 

It comes as Media Minister Catherine Martin prepares to meet the new Director General Kevin Bakhurst and Chair of the RTE board Siún Ni Raghallaigh this week. 

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy is predicting large numbers of angry viewers will refuse to pay the licence fee because of the payments controversy. 

He says a new funding model needs to be found urgently. 

The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley, is seeking to compel Ryan Tubridy himself to come in and shed more light on the issue.

However, they need to seek help from the Media Committee to do that.

Hugh O'Connell, Deputy Political Editor of the Irish Independent says even after days of evidence, there are still questions to be answered:

Staff at RTE say they're concerned and upset at reports about plans for radical changes at the broadcaster. 

Claims of job cuts, splitting the broadcaster in two, the sale of 2FM and salary caps were dismissed by government yesterday. 

However, the focus remains on how the national broadcaster will be funded after the various investigations into the undeclared payments to Ryan Tubridy are complete. 

RTE correspondent and chair of the NUJ Dublin broadcasting branch, Emma O'Kelly, says attention needs to remain on the facts which emerged last week:

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