The Communications Minister has revealed that he is considering introducing a new broadcasting charge, which would apply to every household - whether they have a television or not.

Pat Rabbitte's told the Dáil that RTÉ is losing €25m a year in licence fee payments because of evasion.

The proposed new charge would apply to people who view television on their computers and smartphones, and would be collected along with the new household charge.

The Minister said that his Department had concluded that the charge is a "viable model".