Collins slams shameful ‘Netflix levy’ decision and calls for immediate halt

“Government TDs cannot wash their hands of this. Fianna Fáil backbenchers voted with Sinn Féin and the Greens to drive up people’s bills"

Michael Collins TD, leader of Independent Ireland, has strongly condemned today’s move by Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and Green Party members of the Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Communications and Sport to back the introduction of a so-called “Netflix levy” on streaming services.

“This decision is nothing short of shameful,” Deputy Collins said. “Ordinary households are already paying through the nose with TV licences, rising subscriptions, and every other charge heaped on them. To pile another levy on families who are struggling with the cost of living crisis is disgraceful and must be stopped in its tracks.”

Earlier this year, Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan himself warned against imposing such a levy, stating that people were paying enough already. Deputy Collins said today’s vote represents “a slap in the face” to those warnings, and to the many households that depend on affordable access to streaming services for home entertainment.

“Government TDs cannot wash their hands of this. Fianna Fáil backbenchers voted with Sinn Féin and the Greens to drive up people’s bills, while Fine Gael members looked on powerless. The Minister says he is shocked, but people across the country are beyond shocked – they are furious. At a time when families are being hammered from every direction, politicians should be finding ways to ease the burden, not add to it,” Deputy Collins said.

The proposed levy, estimated to raise €20 million, would be collected by Comisiún na Meán and distributed in partnership with Screen Ireland. But Deputy Collins said the move amounts to “taking money out of people’s pockets to prop up a system that is already riddled with waste and mismanagement”.

“This is nothing but another stealth tax dressed up in high-minded language about supporting the independent sector. I support Irish film and television – but not by gouging working people. The public are already paying for RTÉ through the licence fee and for streaming through their subscriptions. Enough is enough,” he said.

Deputy Collins has called on the Government to halt the plan immediately and reaffirm its commitment that no such levy will be introduced without ministerial consent.

“People need certainty, not more political games. This levy should be scrapped before it ever sees the light of day,” he concluded.