The Minister for Communications, Denis Naughten has proposed that all media devices, such as laptops and tablets and possibly even mobile phones in the future will be required to have a TV license.
His suggestion is that any media device over 12 inches will come under the annual TV license fee currently standing at €160.
One TV license per household would be sufficient – covering both the television set and the devices. However the draconian measures mean that any household or business without a TV, will still have to pay the license for their devices, if the proposed change is introduced.
Naughten believes that broadening the charge will eliminate TV license fee evasions, which are said to cost the state €40 million per year.
It is estimated that RTÉ will gain an extra €5 million per annum if the move goes ahead and it’s already said to be gaining significant political support.