RTÉ: Decision on long-term RTÉ funding due 'in coming months' - Taoiseach

Story from RTÉ:

A decision about the long-term funding of RTÉ will be made "in the coming months" the Taoiseach has said, with a view to having a new system in place by 2025.

Leo Varadkar said he is "very determined" that all the funding from whatever new system is agreed, will not go to RTÉ, and will be "open to competition" from other broadcasters.

"I would hope that we can make a decision on long-term funding over the course of the next few months and to have that in place for 2025," he said.

Asked if a decision would be made by the end of the year, he said: "I can't say that for certain. I’d like that to be the case, but we have to have agreement across three coalition parties.

"But I am really determined that when we make that decision, that it isn't just about RTÉ. Public service broadcasting is broader than RTÉ. It involves TG4, it involves local radio, it involves other national media too. If we are going to have a new system of funding, it is important that a decent proportion of that is open to competition, so that we get the best content and that we have competition in this area."

Mr Varadkar said there were different options available, including a household charge, direct exchequer funding or indirect taxation such as a levy on telecommunications. "All those options have pros and cons," he said.

Earlier, the Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, said an annual allocation for RTÉ from exchequer funding could be "very problematic in terms of a free media and an independent media".

Asked if he still ruled out replacing the license fee with direct exchequer funding, Mr Martin said: "I am very conscious of the need to always maintain a separation between government and media, that the independence of the media is affirmed."

"It is important that the independence of the media is always protected from any government - current governments, future government. Because if broadcasters and print media are to be dependent on an annual allocation, which could be changed, then that could be very problematic in terms of a free media and an independent media. The media is there to hold Government to account."

He said the Government will have a further meeting on this issue closer to the end of the year.