Media

Sinn Féin to table new bill which would see TV licence scrapped

The party is advocating for funding public service broadcasting with direct exchequer investment, to the tune of €140 million annually

Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin’s finance spokesman: ‘Direct taxation is a far more progressive way than a flat rate tax and that’s why this is a regressive method.’ Picture: Fergal Phillips

Sinn Féin is to introduce a bill on Tuesday which would abolish the TV licence with immediate effect, and replace it with direct exchequer funding.

The party said the current model is “not sustainable”.

The party also said it wants to see an amnesty for those who are being prosecuted for failing to pay the TV licence fee.

Some 13,000 people were brought before the courts last year for not paying their TV licence, which ...