Arrangements surrounding TV licensing in Ireland are set to receive a range of changes, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan announced yesterday. These changes will be brought about through the forthcoming Broadcasting Bill.
Minister Ryan announced the proposed changes at the launch of a new website - www.tvlicence.ie, which will allow Irish businesses and householders to buy a TV license online. This service has been developed by An Post.
"My overall aim is to dispel a negative view surrounding TV licensing in Ireland,” said Minister Ryan. "I am keen to see an efficient and effective licence fee collection system in Ireland that reduces the amounts spent on collection and concentrates on maximising the funding available for engaging and entertaining television and radio programmes. To this end, I will be introducing measures to revamp the current licence regime.”
Changes proposed in the Bill include:
- Alternative to court proceedings through the introduction of a fixed penalty payment. Where it proposes to take a prosecution, the collection agent can issue the person in question with a fixed payment notice. Individuals will be given the option of paying a fine (capped at one third the value of the licence fee i.e. €53) along with proof of purchase of a licence within 21 days.
- A separate regime for televisions held at commercial premises. Currently, a 100 bed hotel with 100 television sets pays the same amount as a B&B with 4 television sets. A small pub pays the same licence fee as a large sports pub with multiple television set. The Bill proposes that a separate regime for such business activities be set, in line with other European countries.
- Exemption for certain classes of electronic devices. A TV licence will be required for all devices capable of receiving a television signal, though it is not envisaged that devices other than a television will require a licence at this stage. The Minister will have the power, however, to exempt certain devices.
- The updating of existing fines (which were set in 1988) for non-compliance in line with inflation. For a first offence, the fine (upon conviction) will increase from €635 to €1000. For a second offence, fines will increase from €1,270 to €2,000.
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