Opinion

John Walsh: Michael McGrath’s stance on RTÉ licence fee betrays his EU ambitions

The finance minister’s view on funding the national broadcaster could indicate an intention to move to Brussels

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said that his preference would be for RTÉ to be funded via licence fee because if it becomes entirely dependent on the exchequer, its future income could be squeezed as it competes with other sectors

Michael McGrath hasn’t exactly been sphinx-like in his response to questions about whether he would like to be Ireland’s next European Commissioner, however, in response to a question about the future funding model for RTÉ in an interview published last weekend he perhaps gave the clearest indication yet that he is preparing for a new life in Brussels.

The cabinet must make a decision soon as RTÉ has been engulfed by crisis following the revelations ...