Clare Senator Calls For Refocusing Of Licence Fee Remit Towards Local Media

Clare's Fianna Fáil Senator believes it is essential that people continue to pay their TV licence to preserve the distribution of reliable information. Just 9,361 people renewed their annual payment in the first week of August, down from the 15,030 who did so in the same period twelve months ago. If the shortfall continues at this rate, RTÉ are forecast to lose up to €40 million in revenue by the end of the year. The composition of the curent €160 tv licence fee sees 85% of the payment going directly to RTÉ, with 7% going to Commisúin Na Mean to support the production of TV and radio programming at independent broadcasters. Mountshannon Fianna Fail Senator Timmy Dooley has been telling Clare FM's Morning Focus that the payment should be boradened to sustain the contribution of local services.