Dr. Roderick Flynn:

I agree. It was baffling to me that the recommendation was not followed. It has been recommended for 13 years by various committees, including this committee, back in 2015, with the idea of the introduction of a household broadcasting charge. I have heard no remotely rational reason one would not get rid of the licence fee, which is a 20th century concept. It bears no relationship to current modes of consumption and delivery. We changed the licence fee system back in 2002 under the former Minister, Dermot Ahern. Two things happened. RTÉ finally got an increase in the licence fee that brought it somewhat close to European norms but they also introduced the idea that it would be index linked, subject to the consent of the Minister. Between 2002 and 2008 there were a number of increases in the licence fee. It went to €160 where it still is, 14 years on. This is bewildering to me. I talked about this to my colleagues and we could not believe it. I hear the political rationale within the wake of the furore over water charges and local property tax that this would feel like one more additional tax if it was done in the mechanism of a household broadcasting charge. I do not understand that argument. It is not a new tax. It is the same level as the licence fee. It will be left at €160. Who could possibly complain at exactly the same system, the same price?

The point about political interference is a very valid one and there are certain European countries where this is a concern. But if index linking is automatic and is not the subject to the approval of the Minister, then there is no scope for political interference.