If RTE comes cap in hand for a bailout, it will have to face terms & conditions

Taoiseach's warning as network faces losses in region of €40m

- FERGHAL BLANEY

ANY bailout of RTE will come with onerous terms and conditions, Leo Varadkar warned yesterday.

The Taoiseach said this was what had happened when the Government had intervened in the past to save institutions like the banks and sporting organisations.

He reiterated that it would be no different if RTE chiefs came with the begging bowl.

The Taoiseach was speaking after the latest figures for TV licence payments for the first week of August were released.

They showed four in 10 people are not renewing their licence compared to the same week last year. And this boycott has cost RTE over €900,000 in missed revenue from that one week alone.