The controversy about RTÉ’s secret payments highlights the need to end the broadcaster’s reliance on commercial revenue, Paul Murphy has said.
Everyone in Ireland is liable to pay the licence fee to RTÉ - currently €160 - and this, along with advertising revenue and other commercial activities, funds the station.
People Before Profit believe the broadcaster should be completely publicly funded.
“I really think the outcome - ultimately - needs to be to end the reliance on commercial revenue and instead properly publicly fund a public service broadcaster,” Deputy Murphy said.
“Which should not be done through this regressive licence fee but instead should be done through general progressive taxation and a specific digital services tax on the big digital technology companies.”
RTÉ staff members leaving Leinster House after reporting to the Oireachtas Finance committee. Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ieYesterday, Media Minister Catherine Martin announced she would use the powers of the Broadcasting Act to appoint someone to examine RTÉ’s financial records.
It is a call Mr Murphy endorses.
“I think the Minister and the Government should be using their powers this week to appoint someone to go into RTÉ and uncover all of this and to publish it,” he said.
“Because only the full light of day of the public being able to see this will clarify exactly what happened and lay the basis to begin to restore trust in RTÉ.”
Last week, the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee Chair Brian Stanley said the body had the power to compel people to testify before it and would use it if necessary.
He said TDs and Senators would like to hear from former Director General Dee Forbes, Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly.
Main image: Paul Murphy.
