Sinn Féin gives two fingers to law abiding citizens with nonsensical TV licence proposal – Dillon

Sinn Féin has given two fingers to law abiding citizens who pay their TV licence with their latest nonsensical proposal to give a legal amnesty to those who haven’t paid the charge, according to Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon.

Deputy Dillon said Sinn Féin’s private members’ motion to abolish the TV licence is riddled with inconsistencies and mixed messages to the public.

Deputy Dillon said: “Sinn Féin representatives are yet again fumbling around trying to stand over another half-baked proposal to abolish the TV licence and introduce a legal amnesty from prosecution for those who have not paid the charge.

“We had Cork North Central Deputy Thomas Gould blunder his way through an interview this morning, accepting that while it is still a legal requirement to pay the licence fee, his party would grant an amnesty to those who don’t pay it.

“I know Sinn Féin know a thing or two about amnesties, but this is truly embarrassing. When quizzed further, a confused Deputy Gould promised an amnesty if his party got into power but claimed the public should pay the charge in the meantime to avoid prosecution and a district court summons.

“The mask slips yet again with Sinn Féin demonstrating how irresponsible and reckless they are in their attempt to manage the country. As Taoiseach Leo Varadkar rightly said today, this proposal represents a slap in the face to law abiding citizens who pay their bills and have paid their licence fee this year and for years.

“It would also defund public service media at a vital time when democracy is under threat due to the spread of misinformation and the rise of illiberal democracy.

“Contrary to what Sinn Féin say, it does not provide some kind of silver bullet solution to the financial mismanagement and controversies we witnessed at RTÉ, it will only punish ordinary decent workers at the national broadcaster and starve the organisation of essential funding.

“Government is committed to putting in place a more sustainable, long-term funding model for public service media in Ireland including RTÉ. Discussions on the matter are continuing, and a decision will be made after the reports of the two independent expert reviews into RTÉ are received.

“Until that new future funding model is agreed, the TV licence system remains in place and all householders should have one.

“Not only is it the law, but it supports a wide range of public service media created by the independent sector for a number of other broadcasters and not only RTE. This will undoubtedly be another poorly thought-out motion that Sinn Féin consigns to the dustbin,” Deputy Dillon concluded.