A Waterford TD has called for the broadcast levy to be abolished.
Matt Shanahan says that independent radio stations were given little to no support in Budget 2023.
He says that local radio stations provide a vital service to people and need to be given the tools to do so.
Speaking in the Dáil, the Waterford TD says they are treated differently to public broadcasters.
Both RTÉ and TG4 were provided with extra funding in the Budget.
Independent radio broadcasters are paying a broadcast levy but are not getting support by way of license unlike public ones.
"The broadcasting levy on independent broadcasters amounts to approximately €2.5 million per annum, and in my opinion, it should be eliminated," Deputy Shanahan said.
He also said it's a stark contrast to newspapers who saw their vat rates completely abolished.
Deputy Shanahan says the broadcast levy fee should also have been scrapped.
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