TV licence collection privatised and replaced with device licence fee in 5 years

OU812 · 02-08-2019 10:26AM

Charles Babbage wrote: »

This is blx.They should simply add the licence fee to the property tax, collection costs zero.

Licence fee isn't 100% compliant. Put it on the electricity bill as a levy, can't charge a portable device or run a TV without electricity. Would also include every business in the country

sydthebeat · 02-08-2019 10:32AM

its isnt a consumption tax, even though its being dressed up as one.

people at the moment have absolutely no way of NOT receiving public broadcasting, so its a non discretionary tax.

actually paying a company to collect this is completely nuts.

add it to the household charge and be done with it

flazio · 02-08-2019 10:32AM

Without RTÉ, you leave the broadcasting scene in Ireland to Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Media group and Rupert Murdochs British Sky Broadcasting Corporation. Enough of you whinge about gaa matches being on Sky Sports yet should RTÉ go, you're left with them or the ever universally loved Eir.

odyssey06 · 02-08-2019 10:36AM

sydthebeat wrote: »

its isnt a consumption tax, even though its being dressed up as one.
people at the moment have absolutely no way of NOT receiving public broadcasting, so its a non discretionary tax.
actually paying a company to collect this is completely nuts.
add it to the household charge and be done with it

Only if the amount added corresponds to the 'core' functions of news etc.
Cap it at €50.
Ray d'Arcy, Fair City, TG4 and Concert Orchestras should be left to fend for themselves. In the latter cases, should come under the budget of the Minister for Arts, Culture & The Gaeltacht.

73bc61lyohr0mu · 02-08-2019 10:39AM

KaneToad wrote: »

I've just had a quick look at the posting history of people on this thread who "never use RTE" and are vehemently opposed to paying a licence fee.

Several posts showing their use of RTE services.

Not surprised. People often boast about how they NEVER use RTE but then wax lyrical about the great GAA match, the Olympics, episodes of Love Hate, how the kids loved the Toy Show, the breaking news on the website about the nurses strike or the shocking Primetime investigation documentary...

A bit Monty Pythonesque - apart from all that, what have the Romans ever done for us.

You think we're all delighted to pay for reruns of Mrs Brown's boys Christmas and New years specials in July? I'd have no problem paying if I knew my money was going on something worthwhile. I don't particularly like the threat of jail time if I don't want to pay Ray Darcys exorbitant salary.

KaneToad · 02-08-2019 10:50AM

Bennett Zealous Mocha wrote: »

You think we're all delighted to pay for reruns of Mrs Brown's boys Christmas and New years specials in July? I'd have no problem paying if I knew my money was going on something worthwhile. I don't particularly like the threat of jail time if I don't want to pay Ray Darcys exorbitant salary.

612,000 people watched the last Mrs Brown's Christmas special. I was definitely not one of them - I think it's a steaming pile of $hite. But I can (and do) consume the RTE content suitable for me. That's the point of a public service. I don't complain about subsidised ferry crossings to the offshore islands on the basis that I never use them.

I think a public service broadcaster is crucial for a mature democracy. I think the current fee is appropriate. I also believe that RTE is not without fault and that it is incumbent on us (taxpayer) to hold them to account via our public representatives.

SafeSurfer · 02-08-2019 10:50AM

Deleted User wrote: »

The Maurice McCabe exposé was worth the licence fee. The endless Tubridy, Ray D'Arcy etc crap ( actually Brendan O'Connor was and is far far better ) is not worth it.

Having said that I suspect Fair City and these shows pay for themselves in advertising revenue.

I welcome the fact everyone has to pay for a public service broadcaster. About time. I think 160 is too high though.

Gemma O Doherty in the Irish Independent broke the Maurice Mc Cabe story.

McMurphy · 02-08-2019 10:55AM

KaneToad wrote: »

612,000 people watched the last Mrs Brown's Christmas special. I was definitely not one of them - I think it's a steaming pile of $hite. But I can (and do) consume the RTE content suitable for me. That's the point of a public service. I don't complain about subsidised ferry crossings to the offshore islands on the basis that I never use them.

I think a public service broadcaster is crucial for a mature democracy. I think the current fee is appropriate. I also believe that RTE is not without fault and that it is incumbent on us (taxpayer) to hold them to account via our public representatives.

Mrs Brown's Boys is a production of BBC Scotland if I'm not mistaken.

Hardly a shining example tbh.

Ush1 · 02-08-2019 10:55AM

Privatise it and let it die. They don't even have the Den on it any more.

NuttyMcNutty · 02-08-2019 11:01AM

CPTM wrote: »

I don't really understand this. Would it not be more economical (And politically advantageous) to just scrap the tv license and factor it into the income tax instead. So for example, instead of dropping income tax by 2%, cut it by 1.5%. That way people will see tax reductions and also no tv license. Unfair for the handful of people who don't have a device I suppose but why have a whole system just for them?

It's not a tax. :rolleyes:

CelticSeaShip · 02-08-2019 11:04AM

When I was renting, my apartment didn't come with a TV and I lived happily for a few years without a TV. I didn't feel I was at a loss for not having a TV.

I'm sure there are other people, like me who don't feel a need to have a TV and live happy and fulfilling lifes without a TV.

The plan for a device licence is an absolute load of bollocks.

There a loads of different devices like
Mobile phones
Laptops
Tablets

All of these of other/different functions aside from tv/tv player apps.

Like with mobile phones you can make and take calls, messaging, games, there's a whole entire world on the Internet.
Laptops there's other functions like word documents, game playing, etc.

I have a budget smartphone and I didn't buy it with the intention of watching TV on it and I don't watch TV on it either.

My laptop is for word documents.

JoeySully · 02-08-2019 11:05AM

Capita will get the contract to collect. They have already created a database of every house in the country called Eircode.

MrMusician18 · 02-08-2019 11:05AM

I'm not sure giving RTE more money is what it needs. I mean they describe the likes of world cups, scheduled elections and commemorations as "unforeseen events". And the license fee isn't the only public money they get either. Listen to a typical RTE ad break, particularly radio 1 and often it will entirely or nearly entirely consist of semi state companies and quangos.

The whole place needs to be gutted.
First thing should be to sell Montrose completely and relocate somewhere cheaper like M50.
Next, offer realistic wages to it's "stars", if they don't like it, let them go and wish them well. RTE is a public service broadcaster so it shouldn't be holding people, but providing people with skills like a broadcasting incubator, encouraging them to move on to better things in private industry.
With the above in mind, wages and roles need to be looked at generally

02-08-2019 11:05AM

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

In our small town, there's at least 20 restaurants and eateries. We haven't got a huge population, and there is only so much you can cut prices and still be a viable business. So quality is increased. They try to out compete each other by make consistently good food. As someone who lives in the surrounding area, I have never been charged for not eating at any of the restaurants. And it works. There have been restaurants open for decades because they understand the basics of competitiveness.

It seems RTE haven't received the same memo.

Not quite a fair metaphor. RTE are supposed to be impartial. Food doesn't need to be impartial. If you start selling the national broadcaster to the highest bidder, you that supposed impartiality. You will start to get the likes of Fox News.

Edgware · 02-08-2019 11:10AM

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Ah FG. The party of taxation and privatisation, but nothing else except never-ending waste and scandals.

They are obviously not expecting to be reelected next time out if they're pushing this through at this stage.

I pay the license but I don't watch RTE at all. I couldn't even if I wanted to as I don't have the necessary external aerial for Saorview (internal doesn't work in my area). I do have freesat and everything else comes from the likes of Netflix, Amazon and the US.

Why should I have to pay for services I can't even access?

Pay up and shut up

Welcome to Ireland. Somebody must pay for the "talent" in R.T.E.

Falthyron · 02-08-2019 11:16AM

It would be a lot smarter if RTE just locked down their online content by license number rather than letting anyone with basic VPN knowledge. I have to login to watch VM stuff online, why can't RTE do the same? Then they can rest easy knowing nobody is watching their content online without paying.

Login with your license number and name, problem solved.

As for people watching TV the old fashioned way, i.e with a television, well it's the same game as 30 years ago.

And, if RTE want to talk about transparency and fairness, perhaps they will provide the license payers the reasons why a staff member of RTE was paid off last year, and the amount she received.

B65team · 02-08-2019 11:17AM

I get the need for RTE in some respect but when our money is spent funding absolute dross like "Fifty Ways to Kill your Mammy", "National Treasures", "Getaways" and that's just at the top of my head. Things like Mrs Browns Boys, Fair City - there's a certain demographic that watch these so I understand them being on RTE along with the news and Prime Time to an extend and Crime Watch.

It would be great though if it went the way of the water charges.

How Soon Is Now · 02-08-2019 11:26AM

What a load of absolute ****e.

How do they even start to justify the fee and how it's setup ffs.

We get absolutely nothing for it there should be protests and nation wide refusals to pay this ffs!

It's **** like this that sums up this country and how the Irish people are treated by the higher ups in general.

Get Real · 02-08-2019 11:28AM

I don't agree with the tv licence fee, but I still pay it.

Realistically, if the price stays at 160, itgis new method will make no difference to the 88percent of people already paying it. Only 12% don't. And of that 12% I'm unsure how many are justifiably not paying it.

MrMusician18 · 02-08-2019 11:38AM

Get Real wrote: »

I don't agree with the tv licence fee, but I still pay it.

Realistically, if the price stays at 160, itgis new method will make no difference to the 88percent of people already paying it. Only 12% don't. And of that 12% I'm unsure how many are justifiably not paying it.

Given the profligacy of RTE, one could legitimately argue that the 12% are justifiably not paying it.

Loafing Oaf · 02-08-2019 11:39AM

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

We get absolutely nothing for it there should be protests and nation wide refusals to pay this ffs!

It's **** like this that sums up this country and how the Irish people are treated by the higher ups in general.

It would be fairly easy to bring down this charge if even a few thousand people felt as angry as this and were prepared to risk jail for the 'cause'.

How Soon Is Now · 02-08-2019 11:42AM

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

It would be fairly easy to bring down this charge if even a few thousand people felt as angry as this and were prepared to risk jail for the 'cause'.

It's like most things if enough people refuse they can't put them all in jail can they?

Rte need to cop on once and for all and see there in the situation there in because of themselves and the people of Ireland shouldn't have to keep funding no talent individuals on huge wages and basic **** "entertainment"

CelticSeaShip · 02-08-2019 11:46AM

Get Real wrote: »

I don't agree with the tv licence fee, but I still pay it.

Realistically, if the price stays at 160, itgis new method will make no difference to the 88percent of people already paying it. Only 12% don't. And of that 12% I'm unsure how many are justifiably not paying it.

Once everyone is paying with a device licence, I can guarantee too you it will go the same way as the bins. I remember a day when bins were 50p a week. Now it's much, much more. The price will definitely creep up and there's nothing any body can do about it because 'it's the law'.

Loafing Oaf · 02-08-2019 11:51AM

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

It's like most things if enough people refuse they can't put them all in jail can they?

I'm questioning how many people genuinely are this angry about it though. 160 or so per annum isn't a massive sum for the vast majority, even those on low wages. And I suspect most of those who genuinely 'never watch' RTE are probably pretty disengaged and apathetic politically and would not be likely to risk a spell in Mountjoy for any cause...

How Soon Is Now · 02-08-2019 11:54AM

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

I'm questioning how many people genuinely are this angry about it though. 160 or so per annum isn't a massive sum for the vast majority, even those on low wages. And I suspect most of those who genuinely 'never watch' RTE are probably pretty disengaged and apathetic politically and would not be likely to risk a spell in Mountjoy for any cause...

There would be a lot of opposition to it I'm sure. When you see what happened with the water charges I see this as just as bad if not worse in some ways.

LionelNashe · 02-08-2019 11:57AM

I prefer Fianna Fail's proposal - tax the big digital advertisers and distribute the funds to TV & print media.

bmm · 02-08-2019 12:08PM

Deleted User wrote: »

The Maurice McCabe exposé was worth the licence fee. .

You need to get your facts straight ! Paul Reynolds is nothing more than a Public relations Officer for the Gardai and was completely against Maurice McCabe and was spouting spin from the Garda Commissioner until it became clear he had gotten the totally wrong end of the stick.
I have never come across a reporter as biased as RTE's Paul Reynolds !

MissShihTzu · 02-08-2019 12:18PM

I just saw the news. Interesting soundbite, but little detail.

What's the charge going to be and how will it be assessed? Is it assessed against the household, or each person?
What about those in rented/student accommodation? How will the Govt know who is where? Is this down to the Govt to enforce, or the landlords?
How is this fee to be collected?

Look - the TV licence isn't perfect. Like lots of people, I resent paying the charge, especially as RTE also have advertising revenues unlike the BBC at home in the UK. There should be better enforcement and better ways of paying it. Why can't a card be issued much like the gas/electric cards and people can pay at PP outlets, banks and so on? When the E160 is reached, then the licence can be issued. Why on earth are we still buying stamps which is SO 20th century?

I think this is a stupid idea.

Infini · 02-08-2019 12:19PM

I'll just be blunt and say not a chance in hell am I paying for something that I do not use in any sense or fashion. Netflix and gaming are all I need and no a chance will I ever pay for something I do not need or use. I also have to laugh at that "evasion" rate as lilkely quite a few people now dont even need a telly anymore since you can get everything from the internet.

Jimmy Garlic · 02-08-2019 12:26PM

Pay your license freeloaders. Think of the little ones, how the hell will they get down to the Dundrum town centre if mummy hasn't got a Range Rover?? Selfish baxtards.

TV licence collection privatised and replaced with device licence fee in 5 years

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