Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Public service media is critical to a well-functioning democracy, but is also essential for cultural development, social cohesion and wellbeing. As such it requires a funding model that provides certainty, is sustainable and importantly protects the independence of media providers.

Such funding is not only vital for our public service broadcasters TG4 and RTÉ, but also for the independent producers and the wider national, local and community broadcasters who are supported through the Sound and Vision Scheme.

Any new funding model will also need to support print and online media outlets delivering public service content. This will be delivered through the new Media Fund, and Coimisiún na Meán is currently developing the first schemes in that regard in respect of local democracy and Courts reporting.

There are a range of options through which this funding can be delivered, and as I have stated previously direct Exchequer funding is one option that needs to be considered. A new model for funding public service content is of even greater importance now, given the impact that the RTÉ controversy has had on TV licence revenue since last July.

High-level discussions on the options open to Government, including those contained in the report produced by the Technical Working Group on TV licence reform are taking place, but a final decision will not be made until after the reports of the two independent expert advisory committees are received.

It would not be appropriate for me to disclose either the options put forward by the Technical Working Group or the detail of the discussions that are continuing with relevant Cabinet colleagues in advance of Government making its final decision. However, this Government is committed to making a decision in relation to a new funding model no later than the summer.