Darren O'Rourke: Taoiseach, scrap the TV licence now
Darren O'Rourke confronts the government over a collapse in TV licence payments and calls for the licence to be scrapped in favour of a modern funding model for public media. He cites fewer than 300,000 licences sold so far this year and blames financial scandals at RTE and a culture of arrogance for public disengagement.
Darren O'Rourke opens by warning that payment of the TV licence fee has collapsed, with fewer than 300,000 licences sold so far this year. He frames the drop as a sign that the current funding model no longer commands public confidence.
O'Rourke points directly to financial scandals at RTE, waste of public money, a culture of arrogance and lack of accountability as reasons why people are turned off paying the licence. He argues these failures have undermined the social licence for the existing funding system.
The TD calls on the Taoiseach and government to scrap the TV licence and agree a modern funding model that strengthens public broadcasting and secures an independent media sector. He asks whether the government will deliver on that change and presses for clarity on next steps.
The video also records government remarks defending the licence as a significant revenue source and warning against simplistic populist proposals. The exchange ends with tension over parliamentary procedure and the need for members to prepare within speaking time limits.
O'Rourke stresses the need for a financially sustainable, diverse public media system in Ireland and frames the licence debate as urgent: either reform funding now or accept that people are voting with their feet.
Collapse in licence sales
Darren O'Rourke opens by warning that payment of the TV licence fee has collapsed, with fewer than 300,000 licences sold so far this year. He frames the drop as a sign that the current funding model no longer commands public confidence.
Reasons for declining trust
O'Rourke points directly to financial scandals at RTE, waste of public money, a culture of arrogance and lack of accountability as reasons why people are turned off paying the licence. He argues these failures have undermined the social licence for the existing funding system.
Policy proposal and challenge to government
The TD calls on the Taoiseach and government to scrap the TV licence and agree a modern funding model that strengthens public broadcasting and secures an independent media sector. He asks whether the government will deliver on that change and presses for clarity on next steps.
Government response and parliamentary exchange
The video also records government remarks defending the licence as a significant revenue source and warning against simplistic populist proposals. The exchange ends with tension over parliamentary procedure and the need for members to prepare within speaking time limits.
Consequences and next steps
O'Rourke stresses the need for a financially sustainable, diverse public media system in Ireland and frames the licence debate as urgent: either reform funding now or accept that people are voting with their feet.
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Transcript
Comhairle, Taoiseach, payment of the TV licence fee has collapsed. Fewer than 300,000 licences have been sold so far this year. It's a significant drop on last year. It's no surprise that far fewer people are willing to pay the licence fee. People are turned off by the financial scandals at RTE, the waste of public money, the culture of arrogance and the lack of accountability. We need vibrant, diverse and financially sustainable public media in Ireland. But the funding model through the TV licence is broken. People are voting with their feet. Taoiseach, it's time to scrap the TV licence. It's time for a modern funding model that strengthens public broadcasting and builds a thriving, secure, independent media sector in Ireland. Will government deliver that? Go raibh maith agat. We have set it out in policy. The bottom line is the licence creates significant revenue, notwithstanding that it has come down somewhat. You just can't have it each and every way and say to scrap it. Sounds good, it's populist, it's grand. Government can't be paying for everything all of the time and that reality needs to sink in as well. So the licence fee is there, it complements what government has invested in public service broadcasting and in public service media more generally, through commissioning demand and various schemes and so forth. But we all need a bit of a reality check here too. We can't be looking for extra everywhere across the board and just go to this model and do this and that. This is dependent on getting all members in. It is not dependent on the Taoiseach asking rhetorical questions. They're not to be answered. Your question has to be prepared within the minute you have to deliver it. All members. It's rhetorical, you can take it, it's rhetorical. It's not allowed.