Sinn Féin is to introduce a bill in the Dáil tomorrow which would replace the TV licence with immediate effect.
The bill would also introduce an amnesty from prosecution for those who have not paid the charge.
The party’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said direct Exchequer funding should pay for public service media – a bill the party estimates at €140 million per year.
The Donegal TD said that Coimisiún na Meán should be put on a statutory footing to decide on allocations to the various media, including RTÉ.
The party also wants to provide €12.5m in additional investment in An Post as it would lose the 7% commission for administering the licence fee.
The party has published its policy document today which is entitled: “Delivering Sustainable Public Sector Broadcasting and Independent Media Sector”.
Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will table its Private Members Bill and Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould will lead the line for the party on the issue.
Deputy Doherty criticised the government for delaying taking a decision on RTÉ’s funding model when it is clear across Europe that the licence fee model is being phased out.
He added that removing the licence fee would end the regressive nature of the charge, where those who earn less shoulder a much heavier financial burden as everyone has to pay the same flat fee.
