We're heading across the Irish Sea for a slightly off-topic post today, so I hope you indulge me with your company.
According to recent reports TV licence goons working for Irish postal service An Post are having one heck of a time trying to extract cash from residents of the Emerald Isle.
In Ireland, unlike here in the UK, a TV licence is needed merely to own a device capable of receiving TV programmes.
If you have a TV set in the corner of your room, however unused, dusty and cobweb-coated it might be, the Irish state expects you to stump up €160 for the privilege.
Last month Catherine Martin TD, the Irish Minister for Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, expressed concern at the 15 percent evasion rate, which has steadily risen over the last few years.
There were 60,000 fewer TV licences purchased in 2020 than in the previous year.
An Post is also concerned at the increasing level of abuse its goons receive when plying their immoral wares.
An industry insider said: "The vitriol and attitudes met on the doorstep by some TV licence inspectors is terrible.
"Some receive appalling verbal attacks. We believe these are copycat attacks that are generated on Facebook and emerged originally in the UK.
"TV inspectors are there to encourage people to pay the licence. It's only a last resort when there is a move to the courts. It is a sensible process.
"People find the money for TV services like Netflix and home cinemas, but they are slow to pay their TV licence."
In common with the UK, Irish TV licence enforcement activities were suspended at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. But since 7th June An Post has been having a blitz on TV licence visits in an effort to clear the backlog.
Unlike the UK, it is possible to be imprisoned for non-payment of the Irish TV licence fee.
A 15 percent evasion rate. Wouldn't it be marvellous if we could get the legitimate non-payment rate up to 15 percent in the UK?
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2 comments:
Sigh - much as I dislike the BBC Tax, at least you do get some sort of service for it with all its warts.
RTE is an utter disgrace and furthermore they get advertising revenue as well as tax revenue.
I am surprised to learn that in Ireland you still need a licence if you own a TV set, you learn something new every day!
What's a goons opening line when they visit an unlicensed address? Are you a member of the IRA? :-)
A 15% rate in the UK what makes you think it isn't up to 15% already as they only claim 24.8 licences but this could also include properties that have to have more than one licence like hotels, large guest houses and HMO i.e. student bedsits. Licences means nothing if they are including these large hotels and sometimes HMO where there might be 5 or 6 licences, one for each locked room.
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