Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Under the Broadcasting Act 2009, An Post are the statutory collection agent for the TV licence. An Post make every effort to promote the purchasing of a TV licence and thereby ensure compliance. This includes issuing of reminders and undertaking household visits to confirm possession of a TV licence or otherwise. While it is an offence not to possess a TV licence, prosecution through the courts is a last resort.

When purchasing a new licence, or renew their existing one, there are a number of options to do so. This can be done through any post office, online via TVlicence.ie, by phone and by direct debit. The period for which a TV licence is due is dependent on the renewal date and not altered by the date of payment. The full fee of €160 is due, regardless of the date of payment.

The TV licence funds a broad range of public service content, enabling essential news and current affairs programming, as well as supporting the creation of a high quality content on culture, sport, entertainment, music and more. It supports content created by many independent producers and broadcast on a range of national and local broadcasters. As such, it remains critically important that people continue to pay the TV licence fee. It is not only required by law, it underpins availability of public service content which is of critical importance to our democracy and society.

This Government is committed to delivering the necessary reform to put in place a sustainable long-term funding model. As I have stated on many occasions, a decision on the future model will be made after the work of the two independent expert reviews is completed and I have received their reports.