Aontú Leader calls for RTE reform and TV licence scrappage

The Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín TD, has called for the significant RTE reform and the TV license to be scrapped. It comes as figures released to him following a parliamentary question revealed that €3.8 Billion of taxpayer money has gone to RTE since 2003.

Speaking today, Deputy Tóibín said: "These are eye-watering figures for the people of this country, many of whom are facing extreme financial burdens at this time of inflation and a cost-of-living crisis. Shockingly, RTE took in more funding last year than in any of the previous twenty years, due an additional top-up of exchequer funding as recommended by the Future of Media Commission".

"It is high time now that we scrap the TV license. It is unfair that people have to pay the license fee even if they don't watch RTE! Many of my constituents are living from overdraft to overdraft, making hard financial choices between food and heat. Debt is piling up on many ordinary people around the country, and is in that context that there is huge outrage over the largess being enjoyed by a chosen few linked to the RTE scandal. It is incredible to hear that an RTE celebrity was earning literally 12 times the current average income in Ireland at a time when RTE was being bailed out with state funding".

"Now is the time for RTE reform. Now is the time to ask what is RTE for? The confusion between its public service and commercial role needs to come to an end. The Irish media landscape is incredibly concentrated. RTE is a monolith within that market. This is the time to reform RTE to create more media diversity within the market. The TV License should come to an end. Its time that the public service element is funded directly through tax payers money" concluded Deputy Tóibín.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.