A controversial monthly broadband levy being considered by Government could save Irish culture, language and competition in media, according to one TV producer. 

The Government is considering replacing the annual TV licence fee with a monthly levy on household internet and phone bills. 

Tension is reportedly growing in Government as Public Expenditure Minister supports the levy, while Media Minister Catherine Martin prefers an exchequer-funded model for national broadcaster RTÉ. 

TV producer and ShinAwil CEO Larry Bass said he has heard these arguments in Government “literally for over 15 years”. 

“We don’t have a legitimate fund in Ireland to support Irish content, and that’s the problem,” he told The Anton Savage Show. 

“In Ireland we have the biggest competition in the world because we’re English speaking. We got competition from the biggest broadcasting streamers on the planet from the US and the UK. 

“But we have no proper public policy on funding.” 

Figures from 2023 found a drop in people paying the traditional TV licence fee, prompting debate over a new form of funding public broadcasting such as RTÉ. 

Proposed payments the monthly broadband levy, direct funding from the exchequer and ring-fenced fees specifically for the media. 

'A culture of our own'

Mr Bass said he doesn’t particularly mind what funding model is decided – as long as something is decided upon soon. 

“If today’s article is to be believed, the levy on broadband seems like a reasonable compromise,” he said. 

“Already the licence fee is in the region of €163 a year, if you replace that fee with a fee on broadband, it’s changing one fee for another. 

“Do you want to be a citizen of a country that has culture of its own, a language of its own, has a look and a feel that makes it different from everywhere else? Or do you just want to be the 51st state of America? 

“If we actually believe in who we are as an Irish nation, we have to pay for it.” 

'Small' broadband levy

Mr Bass pointed out the €15 monthly levy is “small” compared to the bills for services like Sky every month. 

He argued having the money to protect Irish cultural productions is vital for the future of the country. 

“In Switzerland, they had a referendum to get rid of the licence fee and [the fee] was overwhelmingly supported by the Swiss public,” he said. 

“They didn’t want to be an extension of Germany and France.” 

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said any attempt to introduce the levy “will meet mass opposition”. 

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