I have a question for Oisín – thought I better ask here in case candidates can’t get into our apartments to canvas!

I am a voter in Dublin South Central and work in the IT Sector. I think there is a broad agreement that the television license model for public service broadcasting is outdated and inefficient to maintain. It is also accepted that new journalistic models are required to account for the advent of new digital media where content and analysis is more abundant and accessible than ever before. So I have two questions:

1) How is what the Greens propose not simply an Internet tax? Can you explain why this will not form a negative incentive for marginal Internet users and also businesses, particularly as widespread broadband adoption if very important for the knowledge economy.

2) Is there an alternative viable option where the state broadcasting duties, or aspects of it, can be put to tender rather than rely on semi-state RTE to provide these services.

I’d appreciate your thoughts. I voted Green in the last 2 elections and was considering voting Green again. However I am disappointed to hear about this and the plans to draft a new constitution which seem like populous clutching-at-straws-type offerings more than anything else.

Hi there
I will try to get to more of the apartments, and hopefully we will find you in!

The changes in the TV license don’t appear to be in my copy of the manifesto, and so might need a bit more work and discussion before they are finalised. There does appear to be some problems with the current system.

The Green Party, to my knowledge, has not discussed introducing an Internet tax and I would not be sure how this could be of benefit. We would like to establish Ireland as a digital hub and create jobs in the IT sector, and obviously, we would have to be careful about establishing any negative incentives.

Your second suggestion there looks quite reasonable. I wouldn’t have the expertise to comment on all it’s merits, but could pass it on to Eamon Ryan and the Green Party policy group.

The plans to draft a new constitution have long been held by green party members, as we see a lack of democracy and transparency in our current system. However, I think it will have to be done properly, and not be a knee-jerk reaction, and to this end, proper public consultation, namely an assembly of the people is probably the best way forward.

Regards

Oisín