The Oireachtas Media Committee has recommended abolishing the TV licence fee.
It has published a report on the 'Future Business Model Plans and Long-Term Vision for the Media Sector'.
It has 29 recommendations including one that RTÉ should be funded through the Exchequer.
"The committee's headline recommendation in this report is the abolition of the television licence fee, a topic which was much debated at committee," the report said.
"The committee's agreed recommendations instead foresee exchequer funding managed by Coimisiún na Meán.
"The committee recommends multiannual funding to public service media entities on the basis of corresponding multiannual strategies and performance commitments," it added.
'Generational reform'
Committee Chair Deputy Niamh Smyth said the report on funding and the TV licence is timely.
"The recommendations of the Future of Media Commission represent potential for a reimagining of Ireland’s media sector to the benefit of all stakeholders and to equip the sector to navigate the ever-changing landscape in how we consume news and information," she said.
"The committee's decision to examine this topic proved prescient when the now familiar saga of governance failings on the part of RTÉ came to light last summer.
"The central theme of this report's recommendations is a generational reform to the funding model for public service media.
"It is important to note that this report's recommendations are aimed at not only the major public broadcasters, but to local, independent, and community media across all platforms," she added.
Media Minister Catherine Martin addresses media in relation to RTÉ fallout at Government Buildings, 23-2-24. Image: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ieHowever a number of Ministers are against abolishing the TV licence fee.
Committee Member Deputy Imelda Munster said the Media Minister Catherine Martin has a battle ahead.
"After all of this time, after all of the reports and yet there's still no decision," she said.
"So you'd wonder if the Minister is to be blocked from implementing her preferred option.
"You'd have to ask the question, 'What's the point of having a Minister for Media if the other Government parties are going to go against every recommendation that has been made'?"
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has previously suggested that collecting the TV licence fee directly could see a reduction in the €160 cost.
Additional reporting by: Sheila Naughton
