Television Licence Fee
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-11
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Charlie McConalogue (FF), Donegal

There was a new round recently of those public service grants for coverage and journalism across different mediums, whether that is broadcast or print. Like the Deputy, I have seen the benefit and the impact of that in the increased coverage of what is happening in the public sphere by journalists. It is a very worthy scheme. I will certainly pass it back and ask the Department officials to consider the point the Deputy makes and to respond to him regarding Meath and Mayo. I expect it must be that from one round to the next not all applications would be able to be approved each time.
A sustainable funding model for our public service broadcaster and for public service broadcasting in general across different streams is really important in the country. It has been challenged. It is important we consider that and have debates and discussion around it. As a Government, we have committed to the TV licence. However, we have commissioned a report to look at how it can be reformed. We can all agree it is important that it is removed from the Government. That is a really important principle on which public service broadcasting is established in terms of a broadcaster. It is something we are taking seriously and will be coming forward, on the back of receiving the report, with that further direction of travel.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-06-11/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:05+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-11