RTÉ Chief Says Current Licence Fee Model Is Broken

The head of RTÉ has warned that the TV licence fee system is utterly broken.

It's estimated Irish broadcasters are currently losing €65 million a year as a result of people evading the fee.

RTE told the public accounts committee today that an increase in the licence fee would be unfair to those currently paying it.

Director General Dee Forbes says it's instead calling for the fee to be reformed to capture households evading it.

Ms Forbes said she wants to ironing out the issues with the player but don't have the resources to compete with other UK broadcasters on demand products.

The Committee heard that advertising revenue is facing a lot of challenges but broadcaster has committed to diversifying revenues.

But the broadcaster warned it cannot continue to deliver its remit for the people of Ireland without adequate public funding.