Information on the habits of cable TV subscribers could be released to An Post in an effort to expose viewers who do not have a TV license.
Families with a Sky or UPC connection may find themselves facing fines if they are among the 15 per cent of Irish people who haven’t purchased a €160 licence.
Non-payment costs approximately €100,000 per day in lost revenue, a total loss of €25m per year to broadcasters.
While a proposed broadcasting charge of €160 is unlikely to be introduced until after the general election, Communications Minister, Alex White has confirmed that new information is to be supplied to An Post in an effort to help catch licence dodgers.
Speaking to Morning Ireland, the Minister said: “They clearly have TV sets, surely An Post could use that data to ensure their TV licence is paid,”
Last year more than 13,700 court cases were brought against people for non-payment of the television licence fee. Penalties can include a maximum fine of €1,000 for a first offence and €2,000 for subsequent offences.
Image: LunarticsHandmade, Etsy.com
