A proposed broadcasting levy is causing a "major split within Government", according to insiders, reports Breaking News.
Sources informed BreakingNews.ie that the issue of the broadcasting levy has led to significant disagreements among Government coalition parties.
The Oireachtas Communications Committee had put forward the proposal, and the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill is scheduled for debate today, reports Breaking News.
Some Fianna Fáil TDs have sided with Sinn Féin on the matter, while several Fine Gael TDs remain opposed to the legislation.
Critics have labelled the proposal the 'Netflix levy', expressing concerns that it could lead to avoidable extra expenses for consumers.
When contacted by BreakingNews.ie, Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan stated he is "100 per cent against the levy", reports Breaking News.
The Wicklow-Wexford TD said: "The last thing households now need is another cost, and I think it is very strange members of government would vote in favour of this. As sure as night follows day, this levy will eventually go to the consumer," reports Breaking News.
Supporters of the measure, which would influence the pricing of streaming platforms, believe it would provide a boost to Irish film and TV production.
Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan has previously said people are "paying enough" to stream content.
Speaking today, Media Committee chairman Alan Kelly said: "This Bill follows a period of intensive examination and scrutiny of the future of public service media, and is informed by reports of the Future of Media Commission, the independent examinations into RTÉ carried out by Expert Advisory Committees, along with our predecessor Committee of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media and the Committee of Public Accounts of the previous Dáil and Seanad. The importance with which the Irish public holds its public service media is reflected in the unprecedented level of public interest that this Committee and our predecessor Committee have experienced when examining this topic," reports Breaking News.
He added: "While it is natural that there may be points of divergence in the Committee's perspective and that of the Minister, we welcome many of the broad principles of the Bill and share the Minister's commitment to enhancing trust in and support of our public service media. We present these recommendations in the hope our report will be a constructive contribution towards of the drafting of the Bill and the reform of public service media in Ireland," reports Breaking News.
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