The Writers' Guild of Ireland (WGI), chaired by Jennifer Davidson, strongly opposes the Minister for Media, Patrick O'Donovan's, decision to reject a proposed content levy on streaming services like Netflix.
The levy, supported by the Coimisiún na Meán (Ireland's media regulator) and various stakeholders, aims to fund the creation of original Irish content. The WGI argues that despite substantial Irish spending on streaming services (approximately €600 million annually), little of this is reinvested in local productions. The guild emphasizes that this levy is intended as a tax on streaming service profits, not on consumers.
Minister O'Donovan contends that users already pay enough and sees no immediate need for an additional levy. He recently secured Cabinet approval requiring ministerial sign-off for any such levy on streaming services.
The WGI highlights that over 60% of its members earn less than €24,000 annually and that the levy would encourage investment in Irish stories by providing a financial incentive to streaming giants. They also warn that without the levy, Ireland may become merely a filming location, without developing its own original content.
The WGI has requested a meeting with the Minister to further discuss the proposal and its implications.