'Major split' within Government on proposed broadcasting levy

James Cox

There is a "major split within Government" on a proposed broadcasting levy.

Sources told BreakingNews.ie that the broadcasting levy has resulted in a "major split within Government parties".

The Oireachtas Communications Committee recommended the change and the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill is due to be debated on today. 

A number of Fianna Fáil TDs have voted with Sinn Féin colleagues on this, with many of their Fine Gael colleagues against the Bill.

It has been dubbed the 'Netflix levy' by opponents of the Bill, who feel it will bring unnecessary additional costs to people.

Contacted by BreakingNews.ie, Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan said he is "100 per cent against the levy".

The Wicklow-Wexford TD said: "The last thing households now need is another cost, and I think it is very strange members of government would vote in favour of this.

"As sure as night follows day, this levy will eventually go to the consumer."

Those in favour of the levy, which would impact on the cost of streaming services, argue that it will benefit homegrown film and television production.

Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan has previously said people are "paying enough" to stream content.

Speaking today, Media Committee chairman Alan Kelly said: "This Bill follows a period of intensive examination and scrutiny of the future of public service media, and is informed by reports of the Future of Media Commission, the independent examinations into RTÉ carried out by Expert Advisory Committees, along with our predecessor Committee of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media and the Committee of Public Accounts of the previous Dáil and Seanad.

"The importance with which the Irish public holds its public service media is reflected in the unprecedented level of public interest that this Committee and our predecessor Committee have experienced when examining this topic.”

He added: "While it is natural that there may be points of divergence in the Committee’s perspective and that of the Minister, we welcome many of the broad principles of the Bill and share the Minister’s commitment to enhancing trust in and support of our public service media.

"We present these recommendations in the hope our report will be a constructive contribution towards of the drafting of the Bill and the reform of public service media in Ireland."