Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1073. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he or his predecessor received, and will publish, the research commissioned by Coimisiún na Meán on the feasibility of an audiovisual content levy and fund; who conducted the research, and what their recommendations were; and the estimates included in the research of the potential revenue that may be generated from the imposition of such a levy, along with an analysis of the consequences associated with the levy, including the estimated knock-on cost, if any, on the consumer. [18549/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1076. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the estimated annual financial yield of a levy (details supplied) if it was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18808/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1077. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of the research carried out by his Department into the merits of introducing a levy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18809/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1078. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding supports for independent media sectors, including the scripted and non-scripted sectors; if additional ring-fenced supports can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18817/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1079. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his Department has carried out a comparative analysis of EU countries that have introduced the so called ‘Netflix levy’; if this was considered as part of his assessment regarding its possible introduction in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18818/25]

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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1082. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he plans to publish Coimisiún na Mean's report or any other policy evidence relating to levies on streaming services to fund the Irish film and television production sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18828/25]

Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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1092. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, in light of the Government’s decision to delay the introduction of a content levy on international streaming platforms under the revised Broadcasting Bill requiring Ministerial sign-off before any levy can be imposed, he will outline how the Government’s decision to delay the introduction of a content levy on international streaming platforms aligns with its stated objective of supporting Irish content creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19572/25]

Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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1093. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if an assessment has been made of the cultural and economic impact of postponing a revenue stream that could generate up to €20 million annually for investment in Irish film, television and digital media; the rationale for excluding RTÉ and TG4 from eligibility for the new media fund; how the Government intends to support these public service broadcasters in their efforts to innovate and serve diverse audiences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19573/25]

Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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1094. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will commit to engaging in urgent consultation with Coimisiún na Meán, content creators and public broadcasters to develop a future-focused media strategy that protects consumers while holding global streaming platforms to account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19574/25]

Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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1095. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will publish the Coimisiún na Meán viability report into the content levy without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19575/25]

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1104. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will publish the Coimisiún na Meán viability report into the content levy without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19689/25]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1105. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will publish without delay the Coimisiún na Meán viability report into the content levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19699/25]

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1109. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will publish the Coimisiún na Meán viability report into the content levy without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20071/25]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1135. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he is planning to implement the audiovisual media services levy, as provided for under Article 13(2) of the AVMSD (Directive (EU) 2018/1808); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21022/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1137. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Levy, as provided for under Article 13(2) of the AVMSD (Directive (EU) 2018/1808); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21187/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1073, 1076, 1077, 1078, 1079, 1082, 1092, 1093, 1094, 1095, 1104, 1105, 1109, 1135 and 1137 together.

Article 13(2) of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive ('AVMSD') provides that Member States may require media service providers under their jurisdiction to make a financial contribution to the production of European works.

To exercise this option under the AVMSD, section 159E of the Broadcasting Act 2009 (as amended) currently provides Coimisiún na Meán with the option to impose a content production levy on media service providers (i.e. providers of broadcasting and video on demand services) to fund a scheme (termed ‘the European works scheme’) to support the production of European works, including Irish works.

Coimisiún na Meán appointed consultants Nordicity & Saffrey LLP to undertake research and make recommendations in relation to the feasibility of an audiovisual content levy and fund. Stakeholders were consulted throughout the feasibility report process. The report was received by my Department on 29th January 2025.

As the levy would place an additional operational cost on services in scope, I am of the view that there is a substantial risk that such services would pass on this additional cost to consumers, as opposed to absorbing such costs and reducing profit margins. Accordingly, having considered Coimisiún na Meán’s report fully, I am of the firm view that introducing this levy risks placing an additional financial burden on Irish households already experiencing cost of living pressures, particularly in the context of recent international developments.

As set out in section 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 (as amended), Coimisiún na Meán is independent in the performance of its functions and, as such, publication of the feasibility study is a matter for Coimisiún na Meán.

I obtained Government approval on 8th April 2025 for the Revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. The Revised General Scheme will add a layer of protection for the Irish consumer by ensuring that Coimisiún na Meán may only impose a content production levy on broadcasters and video-on-demand providers following a direction of the Minister, which I have no intention of directing or allowing until such a time that I am satisfied that such a levy will not impose an undue burden.

Separately, and in order to support the independent production sector, the Revised General Scheme of the Bill provides that RTÉ will be required to spend at least 25% of its public funding on content commissioned from the independent production sector. RTÉ and TG4 will also be excluded from receiving direct public funding from the Media Fund, in order to ensure that all funds go to independent producers and commercial media outlets. This is on the basis that RTÉ and TG4 are already in receipt of significant public funding to deliver on their statutory public service objects. While RTÉ and TG4 are excluded from directly applying, independent producers will still be able to use RTÉ and TG4 as broadcast partners.

The provision of content by the independent production sector has always been a key element of public service broadcasting in Ireland, and our two national public service broadcasters commission a significant element of their content from the sector. The measures set out in the Revised General Scheme will ensure that our national public service broadcasters will continue to support the production of diverse and innovative content in the long term.

As Minister, I fundamentally believe in supporting the Irish independent production sector, as is reflected by the many ongoing supports provided to the sector through grant funding from Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán’s Sound and Vision Scheme as well as the Section 481 film tax relief. The tax relief is being enhanced this year through the Scéal uplift for smaller independent films. Along with the Minister for Finance and the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, I hope to sign the regulations commencing this uplift shortly. Furthermore, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, the Minister for Finance included a new tax relief for unscripted production - Section 487 – in the Finance Act 2024 and I am advised that the Department of Finance has notified the new relief to European Commission and it is now being examined by the Commission.

I will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the independent production sector continues to be appropriately supported in the longer term.