LAST UPDATE | 10 Sep 2025

FIANNA FÁIL BACKBENCHERS that sit on an Oireachtas committee voted to introduce a content levy on streaming services – much to the dismay of the Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan.

During a sitting of the Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Communications and Sport, which was held in private today, Fianna Fáil members, along with those in Sinn Féin and the Green Party, supported the position that a levy, dubbed the “Netflix levy”, should be introduced. 

A vote on the matter was forced by Fine Gael members of the committee, who were not in favour of endorsing such a position. Ultimately, Fine Gael did not have the numbers and were defeated.

Following the vote, a source close to Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan said he is shocked at the way the government is being undermined.

The government source said it is not helpful when Fianna Fáil “allow their people to side with Sinn Féin to put their hands in people’s pockets to jack up the price of streaming services”.

Earlier in the year, the minister blocked the plan to impose a content levy on streaming services, stating that people were paying enough for TV and that he did not see “any reason” to impose a planned content levy on streaming services. 

Groundwork on the proposed levy, which would be collected by media regulator Comisiún na Meán, was laid by former Arts Minister Catherine Martin. 

Under the plan, the levy would be distributed in partnership with Screen Ireland (Fís Éireann) in a bid to fund independent productions in Ireland. It was expected to raise approximately €20m.

Costs to the consumers

However, in a memo on the issue brought to Cabinet in March, Government approved the revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, which set out that there should be no introduction of a content production levy without ministerial consent.

It ensured that the imposition of a content production levy “which could impose costs on Irish consumers is subject to ministerial decision”.

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At the time, O’Donovan said he had no intention of directing or allowing the imposition of a levy “until such a time as I am satisfied that such a levy will not impose an undue burden”.

Based on a report shared by Coimisiún na Meán, the minister claimed there is a risk that a levy could lead to higher costs for Irish consumers at this time.

He said introducing the levy would create a situation where people would be “priced out of being allowed to purchase entertainment in their own home”.

“They’re paying enough, as it is. They’re paying tax, it’s keeping RTÉ open. They’re paying their television licence, and they’re paying their subscription fee,” he said at the time.

Asked about the endorsement of rolling out a levy, Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, who sits on the committee, said: 

“The committee restated its position as it has always held that we should introduce a levy which would support the development of Ireland’s film, television, animation and content creation sector. This was backed by every witness to our committee on the planned legislation.

“The Fianna Fáil members are strongly committed to supporting the independent production sector in Ireland.”

He added that Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Green Party members of the committee supported that position today.

The committee is preparing its report on pre-legislative scrutiny of the forthcoming broadcasting legislation. Byrne added that the levy operates in 17 other EU states and the cost was absorbed by the streaming platforms in those territories, with the estimated cost of 20c to 30c per package.

Byrne said the alternative is that further support for Irish content creation would come from the exchequer.

Despite these comments, a spokesperson for the Taoiseach said that Micheál Martin supports the position agreed by government before the summer and there are no plans currently to introduce a levy on streaming services.