RTÉ: Reform It, Sell It or Shut It Down?

Should the Revenue Commissioners be turned into debt collectors for RTÉ, or is it time to pull the plug on the State broadcaster altogether?

In this episode, Niall is joined by columnist and social and political commentator David Quinn to discuss the future of RTÉ, the controversial TV licence fee and whether Irish taxpayers should continue funding the national broadcaster.

Minister of State Niall Collins has suggested transferring responsibility for collecting the TV licence fee from An Post to the Revenue Commissioners in an effort to clamp down on non-payment. But should Revenue really be used to chase people who refuse to pay for a broadcaster they may never watch or listen to?

Meanwhile, Minister Patrick O’Donovan has reportedly cut €20 million from RTÉ’s agreed State funding for 2027, raising fresh questions about its financial future. Could continued funding cuts eventually spell the end of RTÉ as we know it?

Niall and David examine whether RTÉ still provides an essential public service, whether it faces unfair advantages over privately funded broadcasters and whether taxpayers are getting value for money.

Is RTÉ worth saving, or has it become a bottomless pit of public money?

Should we reform it, dramatically reduce its size, privatise it or simply switch it off?

And most importantly, should people be forced to pay a TV licence to fund RTÉ even if they never use its services?

What would you do with RTÉ?