Clare Senator Insists Broadcasting Charge Should Equal Or Be Lowe Than TV Licence Fee

A Clare member of the Oireachtas Media Committee insists the new broadcasting charge should equal, or be lower than the current licence fee. It comes in the wake of comments from the Taoiseach, who's said the Government will have to reform the way RTÉ and public service broadcasting is funded. Leo Varadkar's admitted it would be difficult for a new tax to be brought in by the Government, but that a higher charge it could be the preferred option for ministers. Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley believes it's widely recognised that trusted sources of media and journalism are needed now more than ever and that needs to be funded either through taxation or a charge, however he doesn't think it should cost more than the tv licence fee.