Household charge may replace TV licence fee

Run_to_da_hills · 06-04-2011 08:11AM #1

The Government may consider the introduction of a universal household charge to replace the TV licence and take account of those using computers and mobile phones for television viewing.

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte told the Dáil that “young people in particular are not necessarily at all accessing television through their television screen”.

What happens to to those that only uses their devices on the move? ie traveling to work etc. It would be impossible for inspectors to be going around policing those watching TV on Iphones, IPads net books etc.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0406/1224294011566.html

blaze1 · 06-04-2011 08:14AM

April fools was last week...

It will be bed tax soon

Hookah · 06-04-2011 08:15AM

They can suck my salty balls.

bonerm · 06-04-2011 08:16AM

The only one they'll not be implimenting is the 'leaving town tax'.

Guill · 06-04-2011 08:18AM

Because soo many people dont use TV's now, just the net, the bastards will get ya no matter what you do.

ShooterSF · 06-04-2011 08:18AM

****in classic.

Govt: If you want a tv you have to pay 120 quid a year for a license.
Me: Ok. I wont get a tv.
Govt: Eh well then ehh .... if you have a house you have to pay for a tv license, I mean a universal erm household charge.

----
What a crock.

(Just as well I bit the bullet recently and punted for a tv for the xbox!)

phasers · 06-04-2011 08:18AM

What Computer? That's a fishtank retard!

Biggins · 06-04-2011 08:21AM

What are they going to do, count every laptop and pc in every house?
(Can't see that workable)
So IF it comes in, it will a same type standard or slightly increased charge, just under a different name and remit regulation.

(If they start counting systems in households, I'm screwed! Stuff hiding the drugs and guns, we have to now hide the laptops! LOL)

stephendevlin · 06-04-2011 08:21AM

Who's betting it will be more than what the cost of a TV licence is at the moment. :mad:

I cant even get a fecking reception for tv. Have to buy sky.

kfallon · 06-04-2011 08:21AM

ShooterSF wrote: »

Govt: If you want a tv you have to pay 120 quid a year for a license.
Me: Nope! I won't pay 120 quid for the rubbish that's put on tv each year nor will I line the pockets of overpaid presenters such as Pat Kenny or Ryan Tubbridy. I also won't contribute towards putting up the Z list Celebs that appear on the Late Late every Friday so you can ask me hole if you think I'm paying a tv licence and I never answer me door so you'll never catch me!

FYP :cool:

CreepingDeath · 06-04-2011 08:25AM

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

The Government may consider the introduction of a universal household charge to replace the TV licence and take account of those using computers and mobile phones for television viewing.

Time to claim religious discrimination.

That the Amish would not have to pay this charge.

RichieC · 06-04-2011 08:26AM

Bring back the window tax!

Biggins · 06-04-2011 08:27AM

RichieC wrote: »

Bring back the window tax!

Naaa, the government would see through that!

RichieC · 06-04-2011 08:27AM

Biggins wrote: »

Naaa, the government would see through that!

coat!!!

Biggins · 06-04-2011 08:28AM

RichieC wrote: »

coat!!!

Was just thinking the same thing! :pac:

s_carnage · 06-04-2011 08:28AM

Can't they just clear out all the dead weight at RTE or wait better yet get rid of it altogether.

Manach · 06-04-2011 08:29AM

Welcome to our new socialist "tax everything" paradise comrades.

FTGFOP · 06-04-2011 08:38AM

I think it's really important to our great nation that the funds be there to re-broadcast Eastenders across the state. It's what Dev would have wanted.

bonerm · 06-04-2011 08:40AM

FTGFOP wrote: »

I think it's really important to our great nation that the funds be there to re-broadcast Eastenders across the state. It's what Dev would have wanted.

Not forgetting Coronation Street too so that the legions of Manchester United supporters in this country can get a taste for life in the region they appear to be so fond of.

pixelburp · 06-04-2011 08:52AM

So a property tax AND a household charge? Fooked inside & out. To be fair, these kind of charges have been suggested before (I believe Eamon Ryan was the last person to bring up a charge for 'net broadcasts), and promptly shot down as realistically there's no way to police this kind of fee. A TV's easy - you either have one or don't, and it needs a physical TV signal to work - whereas not everyone watches TV through their computer, as well we know. Nor does an internet connection automatically equate to viewing multimedia

How could they prove that person X was watching their TV exclusively through their PC & person Y wasn't? Equally, how could they prove that the content either are watching would come into the charge's remit? Would youTube videos count? torrents? Let's not even bring up the fact privacy suddenly becomes a hot potato. The ISPs have already shot down these kind of ideas as being impractical & refused to commit the resources to police their traffic.

The whole thing's a legal minefield as far as I can see, totally unworkable, though I suspect it could just be a smokescreen to introduce another house-related tax.

Sofiztikated · 06-04-2011 08:53AM

Was just thinking, for them to see if you have a TV, or a computer or what have you, don't they have to see it?

Doesn't that mean they come on to your property, and peep through your window?

Isn't that trespassing?

Biggins · 06-04-2011 08:54AM

Himmmm.... I wonder can I hide my house when they try calling?
No house, no charge?

Biggins · 06-04-2011 08:56AM

Sofiztikated wrote: »

...Isn't that trespassing?

There is a number of state officials that can enter your home without permission (although legally they have to have justification).
So if this became law and it was needed, they would just add one more state job title to the list already allowed to do so, to make it legal for them to enter.

TMC99 · 06-04-2011 08:57AM

Its a universal household charge - every house hold will pay irrespective of having a TV, laptop, PC, mobile phone etc - similar to property tax

jester77 · 06-04-2011 08:59AM

Why not just make RTE subscription only and let them collect tax from that. With the quality of RTE programming, it would be a gold mine for the government!

AMHRASACH · 06-04-2011 09:01AM

. .taxing air; you know, the stuff we breathe? Only the breathless escape.

wild_cat · 06-04-2011 09:07AM

jester77 wrote: »

Why not just make RTE subscription only and let them collect tax from that. With the quality of RTE programming, it would be a gold mine for the government!

I completely agree, they'd wise up pretty fast that RTE is providing nothing but pure shìte.

Does anyone have any idea how much "stars" get paid on state televisions stations in other countries with a similar population?

Duggy747 · 06-04-2011 09:07AM

Sleep tax - valuable working hours you're missing paying off more taxes.

The bastards will just bring in a house tax every bugger will have to pay, no other way they can police such a thing.

They can tax my fist, I wouldn't mind giving that one personally to the taxman.

LETHAL LADY · 06-04-2011 09:14AM

Why are the government planning on funding independent broadcasters, does that not defeat the whole purpose of being called independent.

Promac · 06-04-2011 09:15AM

We should just ask the brits to come back - they taxed everything and gave you a free trip to Australia when you didn't pay.

ilovesleep · 06-04-2011 09:22AM

And Pat Kenny earns 600,000 euros a year folks. What are the wages of the other RT(sh1t)E 'stars'.

Im livid at this tax. Dont have a tv or a computer. Mobile is no fceking apple or blackberry. Just bog standard with sh1te internet.

AND NOW THEY WANT TO TAX ME FOR MY KETTLE

Korvanica · 06-04-2011 09:23AM

Hookah wrote: »

They can suck my salty balls.

Salty Ball tax is on its way aswell..

Kiith · 06-04-2011 09:27AM

I don't pay a tv license, so i wont pay this.

ilovesleep · 06-04-2011 09:33AM

Pat Kennys 600000 euro wage is 3750 tv licences. An entire town to pay for 1 mans wage.

RTE is like the HSE. Overcrowded waste.

06-04-2011 09:46AM

ilovesleep wrote: »

And Pat Kenny earns 600,000 euros a year folks. What are the wages of the other RT(sh1t)E 'stars'.

Im livid at this tax. Dont have a tv or a computer. Mobile is no fceking apple or blackberry. Just bog standard with sh1te internet.

AND NOW THEY WANT TO TAX ME FOR MY KETTLE

Your kettle must have wifi or 3g because I can't figure out how you racked up 1400+ posts without any of those things.

mikom · 06-04-2011 09:51AM

Time to change my name to Ned Ludd.

antodeco · 06-04-2011 09:56AM

Woof woof woof woof woof

Biggins · 06-04-2011 09:59AM

antodeco wrote: »

Woof woof woof woof woof

You barkin mad!

Congrads on your next post!

RichieC · 06-04-2011 10:00AM

ilovesleep wrote: »

Pat Kennys 600000 euro wage is 3750 tv licences. An entire town to pay for 1 mans wage.

RTE is like the HSE. Overcrowded waste.

One is not like the other.

Peanut2011 · 06-04-2011 10:04AM

pixelburp wrote: »

So a property tax AND a household charge? Fooked inside & out. To be fair, these kind of charges have been suggested before (I believe Eamon Ryan was the last person to bring up a charge for 'net broadcasts), and promptly shot down as realistically there's no way to police this kind of fee. A TV's easy - you either have one or don't, and it needs a physical TV signal to work - whereas not everyone watches TV through their computer, as well we know. Nor does an internet connection automatically equate to viewing multimedia

How could they prove that person X was watching their TV exclusively through their PC & person Y wasn't? Equally, how could they prove that the content either are watching would come into the charge's remit? Would youTube videos count? torrents? Let's not even bring up the fact privacy suddenly becomes a hot potato. The ISPs have already shot down these kind of ideas as being impractical & refused to commit the resources to police their traffic.

The whole thing's a legal minefield as far as I can see, totally unworkable, though I suspect it could just be a smokescreen to introduce another house-related tax.

They would not have to prove anything. It would be simply a household tax and each household would have to pay it. They would not care what you use your mobile or PC for.

antodeco · 06-04-2011 10:04AM

"Who iz thiz? There iz no Telly 'ere"

/obscure Father Ted reference

Absurdum · 06-04-2011 10:07AM

I was living in a place for a year, about 6 months in I got the knock on the door one Saturday morning

TV license inspector: good morning blah blah blah
Me: sup
TV license inspector: are you aware that you don't have a TV license for this address?
Me: yes
TV license inspector: you must have a licence if you have a TV
Me: ok
TV license inspector: is there a television on this property
Me: what is on my property is none of your business, sir
TV license inspector: can I come in and check?
Me: do you have a warrant?
TV license inspector: no
Me: then **** RIGHT off of my doorstep

got a bunch of reminders and all that jazz, didn't entertain them at all

Paparazzo · 06-04-2011 10:10AM

I'll pay it for everyone if Joe Duffy discusses it in Liveline today

c_man · 06-04-2011 10:15AM

As a tv licence dodger, I'll stick to my guns. They can't charge you for this new tax if you're homeless!

*packs possessions into bindle*

Samba · 06-04-2011 11:11AM

Ehhh, as long as they are getting paid advertising they can **** right off.

Cut hack and slash the ridiculous wages these so called celebs are on and fill the coffers from their cuts, if they want to introduce this charge.

Secondly RTE should be promptly renamed to the NSC - National State Circus.

Joe Duffy our hero sympathises with his callers and gets them to bleet their financial troubles and woes, while all the time his bank balance grows.
Grief and gripe sells radio shows but that's a double edged sword for Joe.
The life of Reilly condescendingly enquires, with a subtle voice and disconcerting tones, tell me more Mary, tell me more.

Run_to_da_hills · 06-04-2011 11:18AM

TMC99 wrote: »

Its a universal household charge - every house hold will pay irrespective of having a TV, laptop, PC, mobile phone etc - similar to property tax

They will still have admin problems with those on benefits, pensioners etc. I know one house that has five in it but is exempt from TV licenses because their 90 yo old man is still living there.

ItsNoAlias · 06-04-2011 11:37AM

This happens with every new goverment. RTE will get paid no matter what.

They have been unable to keep up with new media in terms of technology or resources so they will try to tax everything all at once to avoid loosing funds to it.

Run_to_da_hills · 06-04-2011 11:44AM

ItsNoAlias wrote: »

This happens with every new goverment. RTE will get paid no matter what.

They have been unable to keep up with new media in terms of technology or resources so they will try to tax everything all at once to avoid loosing funds to it.

If RTE didn't get paid they would have to have more adds and then no one would watch them.

tan11ie · 06-04-2011 11:52AM

FFS Why not just take our pay packets off us at the end of the week !!!! maybe leave us enough to buy some ****ing rice :mad:

smellslikeshoes · 06-04-2011 12:15PM

I'm not against the household charge but am very much against where it will fund. In my opinion the TV license/household charge should be there solely to fund infrastructure. RTE shouldn't be funded, if it can't stand on it's own two feet it will have to streamline itself or fail. If we are going to have to pay a fee for having the ability to watch content on mobile phones/computers then some of the fee should also be going towards sorting out broadband and phone infrastructure.

syklops · 06-04-2011 12:32PM

jester77 wrote: »

Why not just make RTE subscription only and let them collect tax from that. With the quality of RTE programming, it would be a gold mine for the government!

So long as it wasnt exorbitant and I could watch all the content online, I would consider it. For the Ireland V Macedonia game I had to stream the game from Iraq of all places.

Also, for watching the news it would be handy. Nothing worse than clicking on RTE News now at about 5pm irish time only to get a 5 minute bulletin which just repeats and repeats.

Did you know there is a radio station for kids? How many kids listen to the radio?? Utter waste of money.

Household charge may replace TV licence fee

Comments