Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"recognises: — the vital role which the media sector, and in particular, our public service broadcasters, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) and TG4, play in supporting our cultural development, societal wellbeing, and the functioning of our democracy;

— the importance of ensuring sustainable funding to support our public service broadcasters (RTÉ and TG4), as well as public service content provided by community, commercial and local broadcasters, newspapers and online media platforms;

— the significant contribution which the Exchequer already makes to funding public service media content; acknowledges: — that the Government is committed to the introduction of a new sustainable and fair funding model during its term of office, and to giving due consideration to all funding options, including direct Exchequer funding;

— that whatever model is agreed upon and implemented will be designed to safeguard the vital independence of public service media as currently provided for in the Broadcasting Act;

— that there is a legal obligation on those who own a television set to have a television licence, and that any amnesty would be inherently unfair on those who are compliant with this obligation;

— that the licence fee currently brings significant benefits to Irish society, not only through the funding of RTÉ, but through its funding of the Sound and Vision Scheme which is available to all broadcasters and is a significant support for the independent production sector;

— that in response to the controversies which have arisen at RTÉ since June 2023, the Government has established two Expert Advisory Committees to lead independent reviews of Governance and Culture at RTÉ, and into Contractor Fees, Human Resources and other matters in RTÉ; and

— that it would be inappropriate and premature to introduce any new funding model prior to the completion of the independent reviews into RTÉ, and in the absence of recommendations which will inform the continued reform of corporate governance, internal control and organisational culture at RTÉ, and which will contribute to the necessary restoration of trust in RTÉ.".

Ba mhian liom frithrún an Rialtais a tháirgeadh ar chealú an cheadúnais teilifíse agus iarraim ar an Teach seo tacú leis. I would like to begin by saying that I welcome this opportunity to address the House on the issues raised, particularly at this critical time for our national broadcaster and for the future of public service media in Ireland.

Events of recent times, and indeed today's debate, serve as a worthwhile opportunity to acknowledge the importance of public service media in our society. It has a vital role in supporting cultural development, societal well-being and the functioning of a healthy democracy. It not only informs, educates, and entertains; it promotes social cohesion and enhances political and cultural citizenship. Public service media serves all of society, one and all. That is the very essence of public service media. It serves the public and it is independent of commercial or political influences. Access to an impartial, trustworthy and independent media is now more important than ever, particularly as we witness the growth of disinformation and misinformation, which is undermining public confidence in news and information. We must, therefore, support the sustainability and development of public service media in Ireland. We are all agreed on that and I am pleased that Sinn Féin recognises the value of public service broadcasting.

A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, despite many differences in the detail of the motion which has been proposed, I am heartened to see that there is some common ground among Deputies on this matter. I too agree that serious consideration needs to be given to the option of a direct Exchequer funding model to replace the current TV licence fee system and I have said this previously. A taxation-based system is fairer, more effective, more stable and better future-proofed.

Of course, as with any future funding option, the safeguarding of public service media from political interference and the ensuring of its independence are of paramount importance. As outlined by the Future of Media Commission, safeguarding measures can be put in place and have been put in place in other countries. The role of a separate, independent, regulatory body is key to securing this. It would oversee and assess funding arrangements that would also be set on multi-annual basis to avoid the budgetary process. In the Irish context, our new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, would be well placed to carry out this function. I note that Sinn Féin agrees with me on this. Indeed, only yesterday when it was launching its policy, it called for the regulator to be put on a statutory footing. I have good news for Sinn Féin on that front as it seems to have missed the fact that Coimisiún na Meán is a full statutory body established 12 months ago under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act.

Taxation- or Exchequer-based funding models are predominant in Europe when compared to a licence-based model. It is worth noting that there is at present nearly 60% in direct Exchequer investment in public service media in Ireland. This includes direct funding of €57 million to TG4, approximately €70 million in respect of free TV licences to recipients of household benefits packages and interim funding to RTÉ amounting to €40 million for this year. While a precedent certainly has been set for using direct Exchequer funding for public service media in Ireland, whatever the future funding model, and there are advantages and disadvantages to all, it must not just safeguard the independence of media. We must also ensure that it provides sustainability of funding and that it achieves a level of public acceptability. This was also noted by the Future of Media Commission and is challenging though possible.

It is not a decision, however, to be made lightly or quickly without proper planning and due deliberation. That is why the Government is rightly considering all options. We must ensure that it is done right. We must be sure that it is sustainable and that it is fair to all. We must ensure that it is truly in the public interest. We must ensure that it provides certainty and stability to public service broadcasters, to commercial and local broadcasters and those in the independent sector, as well as local, regional and national print media, all of which provide vital public service content such as Irish language, news, the arts and children’s programming.

Abolishing the licence fee is not a new proposal. With the transformational change in media consumption, the model is clearly outdated. We knew this even before the RTÉ crisis erupted. That is why this Government set up the Future of Media Commission in 2020. That is why this Government accepted in principle the recommendation to replace the TV licence. That is why this Government is committed to addressing the issue and to making the decision, where other Governments have failed to do so. However, abolishing it with immediate effect, as Sinn Féin is proposing, is both reckless and irresponsible. Members of the public, through their licence fee, provided over €123 million of funding for public service broadcasting in Ireland in 2023. That was not just funding to RTÉ but also was to the sound and vision scheme, which is available to all broadcasters and is a significant support for the independent production sector. Replacing it will require legislative change and this will take some time.Sinn Féin has no real plan as to how this necessary funding will be replaced tomorrow, were it to be abolished immediately, as is that party's wish. This is reckless in the extreme and is not the way to provide the stability and certainty which is needed, particularly by the staff in RTÉ.

It is also not taking into account the need to ensure that the process of reform within RTÉ continues and is completed, particularly in respect of the organisation’s governance and culture. This is fundamental to restoring trust in the public service broadcaster. There is no future without trust and there can be no trust without reform. It would be inappropriate and premature, therefore, to introduce any new funding model before we receive recommendations from the two independent expert advisory groups set up by the Government. The completion of these reviews into governance, culture, HR and other matters in RTÉ is expected shortly. They will inform the necessary and continued reform of corporate governance, internal control and organisational culture, as well as contributing to the necessary restoration of trust in the organisation. They will support a more transparent and fair way of dealing with staff and contractors.

The Government is committed to ensuring greater accountability and governance at RTÉ. That is why this Government acted on the Future of Media Commission recommendation and both RTÉ and TG4 are now designated bodies in respect of NewERA. As Minister, this provides me with access to the expert financial and commercial advisory services that NewERA can provide. I note that Sinn Féin proposes to bring RTÉ under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. This is certainly worthy of consideration but again, let us wait to see if this emerges as a recommendation from the independent reviews from the expert advisory committees.

The Government has been clear that it is committed to the reform of the TV licence system and a decision will be made by this Government but only when these two final expert committee reports are received. That is the sensible and wise course of action. That is what the public expects and deserves, namely, full reform and restoration of trust. The populist approach to the future funding model proposed by Sinn Féin is to only scrap the licence fee overnight. It is shortsighted, reckless, ill-considered and a mere political ploy. The considered approach, which incorporates reform and rebuilding trust in RTÉ, is the right approach. It is in the best interest of all.

Sinn Féin is also proposing to extend an amnesty to those who have not paid their TV licence. What of those who have paid and intend to pay; all 825,000 of them last year? Is it not deeply unfair to those who have paid?

There is no doubt that the TV licence model is regressive but an amnesty is not the solution. It is replacing one level of unfairness with another. What of the importance of public service media? Surely an amnesty only serves to demean its value. The TV licence fee is a legal obligation. Not only is it the law, it is, for now and until a new model is legislated for, the only mechanism through which our valued public service media is funded. I again urge anyone liable to purchase a TV licence to ensure they do so, to ensure the public service content, including that on commercial and local broadcasters, continues to be supported.

Let us look at the Sinn Féin proposal for future funding. Questions arise about the quantum of Exchequer funding that Sinn Féin is proposing. Yesterday, Sinn Féin launched its policy to abolish the TV licence and fund public service media with an additional €140 million from the Exchequer. If Sinn Féin means €140 million in addition to the €69 million for free licences and the €57 million for TG4, then that brings us to a total of €266 million, which would be in the region of €30 million short of the Future of Media Commission recommended level. There is simply no way you can support all of public service media with that level of funding. Perhaps Sinn Féin has mistakenly included this year's emergency €40 million funding in its calculations. Either way, it does not add up. Where is Sinn Féin's provision for the platform-neutral media fund, which was recommended by the Future of Media Commission? It recommended €30 million for this fund. I note that Sinn Féin's motion indicates that it wishes to provide for the wider media sector but it appears to be falling short in financial terms. There seem to be more questions than answers in Sinn Féin's proposal.

While I welcome the importance of this evening's debate and the value Sinn Féin places on public service media, changing the future funding model must be done in a planned and considered way to ensure it is sustainable, acceptable, independent and future-proof. I believe we have more that unites us than divides us on this matter and I am determined to ensure that this is decided upon once and for all in the lifetime of this Government. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. I look forward to a positive debate and greatly value the input Deputies make to the ongoing discussion.

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