RTE seek substantial licence fee hike

The RTÉ Authority have considered and agreed a submission to the Irish Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, seeking a revision of the licence fee.
The submission seeks a licence fee of €150, an increase of €43 per annum. RTÉ are also requesting that this sum be erosion proofed against inflation, in line with the recommendations of the Irish Forum on Broadcasting.
RTÉ are also urging that consideration be given to the introduction of a commercial licence fee to address the current inequity where householders pay the same rate as those who benefit commercially from having access to television services. According to RTE, among comparable European broadcasters they have the lowest level of public funding, which makes them inappropriately dependent on commercial revenue. Due to this imbalance, RTÉ's ability to meet their public service obligations is under constant threat and the audience is not always well served.
The sum sought is "essential to ensure that RTÉ can provide the minimum level of programme service, which the Irish audience is entitled to expect from its national broadcaster."
As part of their submission RTÉ have outlined a comprehensive range of reporting mechanisms, which they will initiate during 2003 to fulfil their commitment to accountability and transparency.
(GB)