Huge profits of streaming companies could be levied to support Irish jobs and talent without passing costs on to consumers – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Arts, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has argued that the huge profits of streaming companies could be levied to support Irish jobs, as happens across many EU states, without costs being passed on to consumers.

The Dublin South Central TD called on Arts Minister Patrick O’Donovan to publish the research which prompted him not to progress the levy.

Teachta Ó Snodaigh said:

“Online streaming platforms have risen to challenge the traditional dominance of Ireland’s domestic broadcasters and film producers, while also providing new opportunities for work, for global reach, and for creators and performers.

“The European Audiovisual Media Services Directive empowers member states to restore a power balance within the industry by introducing minimum content requirements, investor obligations, or a levy on these new global players, including the likes of Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Sky and others.

“In the last Dáil, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party only signed off on allowing one of these options under Irish law, giving Coimisiún na Meán power to introduce a levy on streaming service providers under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act.

“Now, three years on and before any levy is introduced, Minister O’Donovan has announced plans to scrap that power.

“It is highly disingenuous of Minister O’Donovan to use as an excuse the idea that introducing a levy could see a knock-on increase to consumer subscription costs, when his government blocked any method other than a levy to begin with.

“It is also a bit rich of Minister O’Donovan to fearmonger about the potential impact of a levy when he received a feasibility study into the impacts of a levy in January, which he has not made public.

“I am calling on him to publish the research and recommendations without delay so we can see for ourselves what consequences we are really dealing with.

“Nobody is suggesting ordinary workers should be asked to pick up the Bill for a new levy during the cost of living crisis. Most other EU countries have, however, already managed to bring in such a levy without causing hardship for subscribers.

“This begs the question, why can’t we do the same?

“The levy could bring an estimated €25m every year to fund the creation and production of Irish and European works, a quarter of which would be in the Irish language.

“Alternatives to the levy like minimum content requirements or investor obligations could also contribute to a golden era for Irish film, building on recent successes like An Cailín Ciúin, Banshees of Inisherin, and Kneecap.

“The common thread across the government’s opposition to all these options is not a newfound concern for people suffering under the cost of living, but a consistent unwillingness to touch the massive profits of big business, even when doing so would mean supporting jobs, talent and investment here in Ireland.”