Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal, Louise O’Reilly, has today slammed the government for failing to implement the recommendation of the Future of Media Commission Report on the future of the TV licence. 

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“We know that both Fianna Fáil and the Green party supported the scrapping of the TV licence. Instead of sticking to their belief that this levy is outdated and regressive, they backed down to pressure from Fine Gael. This is undeniable proof that this government are terrified of anything that threatens the status quo.

“This government talks an awful lot about change. They hold a lot of press conferences and they fly a lot of kites. The reality is though that very little ever changes and this is just further proof of that. 

“The funding of original television production, vibrant national and local radio as well as empowering local and regional journalism is critical in the coming years. We need a healthy and broad range of actors from RTÉ, TG4 and Virgin Media Television, to more local radio and press, to produce high quality content of public value across a wide range of mediums including TV, radio, newspapers and online.

“People need a government willing to make changes. They need a brave, ambitious government. Instead, they have a government that spent years coming up with a plan that essentially keeps everything the same. Where are the benefits in expert groups, like the Future of Media Commission, and costly reports if they are going to be ignored completely?

“The writing is on the wall for the TV licence. It is long past time it was scrapped. Today’s decision is indicative of a government with no backbone. Instead of reform and change, they cling to the status quo.

“We are seeing ordinary people dragged through the Courts and a Minister who knows that this is wrong but refuses to stand up for these people. Sinn Féin had a clear and credible proposal that would have seen RTÉ funded through direct exchequer funding and ordinary households no longer forced to bear the burden of this regressive levy. 

“I am calling on them again to ensure that RTE come under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It is the best way to ensure that there is full accountability in RTE’s accounts and financial decision making processes.”