The Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 allows Coimisiún na Meán to introduce a levy on broadcasters and video-on-demand providers in order to fund a scheme to promote Irish productions.

However, the government has proposed to amend the legislation to make the introduction of a content production levy contingent on ministerial approval, which it says will not be immediately forthcoming.

The announcement comes on the same day that an influential UK parliamentary committee recommended the introduction of a similar levy scheme in the UK.

The revised general scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill was published today and also includes changes to the bill aimed at enhancing value-for-money, accountability and transparency in RTÉ and TG4.

RTÉ will also be required by law to spend at least 25 per cent of its public funding on content commissioned from the independent production sector, with Coimisiún na Meán allowed to increase this percentage with ministerial agreement.

Arts, media, communications, culture and sport minister Patrick O’Donovan said: “It is vital that government consider the needs of the public and the media sector as a whole. These amendments will provide greater support for the independent production sector.

“I have added a layer of protection for the Irish consumer by ensuring that Coimisiún na Meán may only impose a content production levy on broadcasters and video-on-demand providers following a direction of the minister, which I have no intention of directing or allowing until such a time as I am satisfied that such a levy will not impose an undue burden.

“Accountability will be enhanced by obliging RTÉ and TG4 to consider the recommendations of the regulator when setting their performance commitments in 2026 and 2027, and this will prepare the broadcasters for the new three-year review system which will commence in 2028.

“It is paramount that RTÉ and TG4 continue to adapt to the new media landscape.

“As more and more of us move beyond traditional TV and radio, the content RTÉ and TG4 publish by way of podcasts, on their website and streamed content must be held to the same high standards as that broadcast through linear channels. This bill provides that such content will be subject to regulation.

“These amendments will ensure that responsibilities on RTÉ and TG4 as public service media providers reflect the level of public funding provided to them and are part of a rolling programme for reform.”