Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teach as an deis a bheith páirteach sa díospóireacht seo. Ní aontaím leis an rún ach gabhaim buíochas le Sinn Féin as ucht na díospóireachta agus leis an Aire, an Teachta Martin, as rún an Rialtais a mholadh.

It is clear that there is general agreement across the House on the value and importance of public service broadcasting, which is not exclusive to RTÉ. There seems to be agreement that it must be supported and properly funded, and that is welcome. I also welcome the fact that the Opposition is anxious to solve the question of funding for RTÉ as part of the wider public service broadcasting debate , even if the proposal being discussed this evening does not particularly hold water.

I would like to address a number of areas. There is no doubt that we are a very critical juncture in relation to RTÉ. There is a critical, long-standing need to reform the funding model to ensure certainty and sustainability. There is also a critical need to consider the most sustainable way to provide a long-term funding model for something as vital as public service broadcasting and the role of RTÉ within that. Despite what others may claim, there is no mixed messaging coming from this side of the House. The Government is clear in its commitment to reform of the TV licence, but it is also clear that there is more than one way in which we can do so. There is no silver bullet, however. All options have their merits as well as their challenges. That is why a much more reasoned and measured approach is needed. That is why this Government, in not accepting the recommendation from the Future of Media Commission, decided that a further examination of the potential options to reform the TV licence was needed. That is why we established the technical working group and why we are considering all the options.

There will be different views. There are those who advocate for different options, which is not always a sign of disharmony but of healthy debate and a weighing up of the best way forward. This is how policy is developed. Options are assessed, the pros and cons are weighed up and something that will work and is effective is delivered. Unfortunately, it is not always about the easiest route, the path of least resistance or the option that will be populist and popular. Governing is about hard choices made with due diligence and consideration.

I agree with the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, that it is important we consider reform of the funding model hand in glove with the reform of RTÉ. That reform cannot be achieved without a clear way forward and the recommendations of the two expert advisory committees will enable that. I would also like to comment on suggestions that we levy streaming platforms such as Netflix, or that we tax big tech. These are both very different things but both are very different from how one should fund public service media. First, a levy on streaming services such as Netflix has been mooted. The Future of Media Commission did not examine placing levies on streaming platforms for this purpose. I see a potential difficulty in that this would tie funding for public service broadcasting and for RTÉ to the financial health of the platforms, or to their popularity and levels of subscribers, which would not provide the necessary certainty. In any event, this is allowed for in legislation already but for a different and equally important purpose. The Online Safety and Media Regulation Act gives Coimisiún na Meán authority to impose a levy on media service providers in order to fund the production of European works, including Irish works. This is already done elsewhere, including in France, and an coimisiún is carrying out research to inform any such levy and fund. That research is expected to be submitted later this year.

People Before Profit Deputies have said that we should place a tax on large IT companies. Again, this is not something that the Future of Media Commission considered. Once more, I see a problem with tying the funding of public service broadcasting and RTÉ to big tech companies and their income levels or profits. Will they dictate what funding is available for public service content here in Ireland? That model is not appropriate. This country is a hub for big tech, which supports significant investment and jobs here. The People Before Profit proposals is one that might have a negative impact on this important sector of our economy while only providing an uncertain and unsustainable funding model for public service broadcasting. The Taoiseach has been very clear that the Government will not be taxing big tech to pay for public service media.

What the Government is doing is considering how to have a sustainable model. In its report published in 2022, the Future of Media Commission noted three main funding models, namely, a TV licence, a universal charge or direct Exchequer funding. Two of these options are viable and sustainable. This is the basis on which we will make our decision. I would also like to refer to the proposed amnesty for those who have not paid their TV licence. The anger and frustration which the public feels about corporate governance in RTÉ and former senior management of the organisation is fully understandable. Indeed, it is shared by many of the staff in RTÉ. However, until we have a fully thought out and planned replacement, the TV licence fee is the funding model. It is the law and we cannot accept anybody suggesting that we do anything to encourage further evasion of a legal obligation. I echo the comments of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste that we cannot accept an amnesty. We cannot turn around now and insult all those people, the vast and silent majority of over 800,000 who did their duty and paid the TV licence last year. People talk about fairness, equality and transparency, but how is an amnesty in these circumstance fair, equal or transparent? As long as the TV licence remains in place, we must encourage all those who have an obligation to pay to do so.

That allows them to play their part in supporting public service content.

A number of other issues not directly related to the TV licence but related to the various reports and controversies surrounding RTÉ have been floated this evening and are often discussed in the same breath as the TV licence. As the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, alluded to earlier this evening, there seems to be more that unites us than divides us on this issue. The Minister has said before that if we as elected officials truly believe in the importance of public service broadcasting and a sustainable funding model, then we must all play a proactive part in ensuring that it can be achieved appropriately and sustainably. This will require legislation to reform the TV licence. Given the widespread support for reform, I am sure the Deputies right across the House will support its passage when the time comes, but that time is not now. It is not overnight. The time is when we have not only reports into RTÉ, but recommendations that will help provide a way forward for the continued reform and, most important, the rebuilding of trust.

What the Government is doing is to be considered and measured in assessing the best option to fund public service media. We are looking at the options available and will make a decision that is in the public interest, not just of RTÉ, but of all public service media. I endorse the remarks of all Deputies about local radio channels, independent broadcasters and others. We want a model that provides certainty, security, and respect to those who work in public service broadcasting - in RTÉ as well as for independent producers and production facilities. We can only do this when we have a clear pathway to restoring trust and confidence in RTÉ. This can only be done when the reports, which importantly will contain recommendations, are received from the two independent expert committees that this Government has established.

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