Time for change on TV licence

OPINION

The news yesterday (Tuesday) that the government has been advised to transfer responsibility for TV licence fee collection to the Revenue Commissioners will come as a blow to many - because it means that, at last, they will be forced to purchase a licence.

The Oireachtas Communications Committee also recommended that the licence fee be increased in line with the consumer price index.
Currently the cost is €160 a year and, for once, in terms of European league tables, Ireland fares well. For example, in the UK, the charge is £147 (circa €164.57); while in Austria or Denmark, you will pay €335 for a TV licence. Admittedly the population in countries such as the UK is 65M.
Of course the current exemptions will remain - for pensioners, those on Social Welfare and the blind.
Many who grumble about the TV licence fee or avoid it altogether also subscribe to digital television providers. That’s a bit rich when you consider that, for example, on the top Sky package they could be forking out up to €1,200 in a year.
In Ireland, it’s estimated that evasion rates range from 15-18% but in rural counties such as Cavan - with many back roads and vast townlands - it’s likely that rate is higher.
The Committee has said that transferring the collection function to Revenue will practically deliver 100% compliance overnight - generating between €35-50M extra to fund public service broadcasting. Interestingly, €40M annually equates to RTE’s current statutory budget on independent productions for its programming schedule.
But if the revenue is substantially increased, then it’s time for RTE to ditch their ad breaks.
Really it makes sense for Revenue to collect the money. Like it or not, look at how successful the property tax collection has been by deducting it from payroll or even Social Welfare payments!
Another suggestion of linking the TV licence fee to electricity bills has merit too.
No doubt it is also costly to pay TV licence inspectors to traverse the country and knock on doors - not to mention bringing cases before the courts.
But if the function is to be taken away from An Post, it is important that other services are delegated to our post offices to ensure their future, particularly in rural areas. For example, the function of processing driving licences or passports.
Certainly it seems unfair that around 85% of households nationwide pay their TV licence fees; while others get away with it.
Public service broadcasting is important and we deserve quality indigenous content. Not only does it engage us but it also creates a vibrant industry in terms of TV production for our young media graduates.
But householders should not have to pay the burden alone. Networks such as Sky and Virgin generate substantial revenue from Irish customers every year yet broadcast Irish channels without having to pay a euro for the content. Neither are giants such as Sky and Virgin required to spend any money on Irish content.
Successive ministers have skirted around this issue for far too long. It’s time to call a spade a spade and implement the recommendations of the committee if we want to see public service broadcasting in this country survive and be properly funded (though that should not give outlets like RTÉ carte blanche to get out the cheque book and spending needs to be monitored closely and value for money delivered. That said RTÉ, and others, also really need to seriously up their game with regard to content).
That means changing the TV licence to a broadcast licence because, let’s face it, content is increasingly viewed online, on devices and tablets and through streaming such as Netflix. In reality, it also likely means an increase and a change to the way we pay our TV licence.
But fair is fair so Minister Naughten, it’s time to take a stand (if you get a chance that is before an election is called).