Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will comment on her plans for reform of the licence fee. [24353/24]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is a straightforward question. Will the Minister comment on her plans for reform of the licence fee?

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Munster. Public service media are a key pillar of our society and, in particular, of our democracy. This has never been more apparent than over the past number of years from maintaining cultural, educational and social engagement during Covid restrictions to countering disinformation through trusted content. They must, however, be supported with adequate resources through a reliable and sustainable funding model. While successive Governments have failed to address the question of how to fund public service media, this Government is committed to doing so, and we will make our decision on the future funding model known prior to the Dáil summer recess.

The need for funding reform was a key issue considered by the Future of Media Commission, but it has been brought into sharp focus by the decline of TV licence fee receipts since last summer. Indeed, the report of the expert advisory committee that reported on the governance and culture of RTÉ reiterated the need for a more sustainable funding model. A number of potential funding options have been discussed, including that of direct Exchequer support. As I have said on many occasions, what matters is that we deliver a funding model that is sustainable, protects media independence and is publicly acceptable.

It is important to remember that this is not just a question of how RTÉ is funded or supported. It is also about supporting public service content provided by a range of independent broadcasters and producers under the Sound and Vision scheme and by local newspapers and radio stations under the new media fund through schemes such as those for local democracy and courts reporting, which are to launch this year.

It is critical that media independence be protected under a new model. I have stated previously that, as recommended by the Future of Media Commission, there are protections that can be implemented to safeguard the independence of public service media from external influences. These recommendations include multi-annual funding levels, assessed and set by the independent regulator, Coimisiún na Meán; a stronger role for the regulator in setting and reviewing the performance targets of public service broadcasters; and reduced scope for the Government to disregard funding recommendations. These reforms will not take place overnight. There will need to be legislative change to replace the current system, which will of course take some time, as will the implementation of a new model. I have said before that if we, as public representatives, really cherish and value public service broadcasting, it is incumbent on all parties to work together closely and constructively in bringing any legislative changes that are required through the Houses of the Oireachtas. I am committed to delivering on this issue so that sustainable support for public service media is put in place for the benefit of the Irish public.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Minister knows, the issue has been rumbling on for years. We have had plans and reports, including Government-commissioned reports, but it appears there has been no political will to make a decision. The Minister initially rejected the Future of Media Commission recommendation. She certainly was not decisive on it, but it seems the recent scandals in RTÉ changed her mind. We have waited and waited for the RTÉ reports to be published. The Minister has committed to making a decision prior to the summer recess. Have we a date? At this stage, given all the reports and scandals, what is holding it up?

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have the recommendations from the expert advisory committees, EACs, but we are waiting for the implementation plan. RTÉ committed on the day the recommendations were published to accept all of them in principle, but I do want to see the implementation plan. I gave six weeks for that. It is to be available towards the last week of June. I just need to see that. The discussions continue. I feel that, for too long now, Irish Governments have failed to address the question of how to fund public service broadcasting. The Deputy said there was no political will but there certainly is now. I have made my commitment as Minister for media, as have the three party leaders.

All options remain on the table but I am determined that the current Government will be the one that makes the decision. It will be made before the summer recess. We are committed to delivering the necessary reform to put in place a sustainable, long-term funding model. The high-level discussions are ongoing at Cabinet level. Now that the Government has received the EAC reports, it can move quickly to make a decision on the future funding model before the summer recess.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Did the Minister say she was awaiting the implementation plan and that it is due before the end of June? I am seeking clarification.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes. I allowed a period of six weeks.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If that will be at the end of June and the summer recess is to begin on 11 July, what will be the timeframe for the introduction? I am a tad confused in that, while the Minister has said publicly she is in favour of direct Exchequer funding for RTÉ, the thinking of her political opponents is certainly not in line with hers, as I noted at the committee meeting we had yesterday. My question concerns the timeframe between the end of June and 11 July, when the Dáil is to go into recess, and the opposition the Minister might face from parties in government. Will she allow them to dictate what method is used or what is implemented? Will she not opt for direct Exchequer funding, which she said publicly she would opt for, because of pressure from parties in government? I seek details on the implementation and introduction in the period between the last week of June and the summer recess, which is to begin on 11 July.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party work collaboratively and have done so for the past four years, so there is-----

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Not at the committee meeting on this issue yesterday.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is no issue at Cabinet level. There is no dictatorship and we work collaboratively on this. We are absolutely united in taking this decision before the summer.

The Deputy asked about the implementation plan. We gave six weeks. We need those concerned to outline how the recommendations in the plan will be actioned. There are some recommendations for the Government itself, so I will be making the implementation plan for the recommendations relevant to the Government. These will refer to the Comptroller and Auditor General and various issues in the report that the Deputy will be aware of. All of these will be addressed by the end of June by the Cabinet. The last week of June is what I am aiming for.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What about the decision?

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The decision will follow shortly thereafter. We are not waiting for the Cabinet meeting to keep the discussions going. As discussions are ongoing, I hope to move as quickly as possible, with a decision no later than the summer recess.