People may soon have to pay the licence fee, even if they don't own a TV.

Plans are being looked at to expand the people eligible to those with laptops and tablets.

The Communications Minister Denis Naughten is attempting to take into account the changing ways in which people are watching programmes.

Under the plans anyone with a computer screen over 11 inches will have to pay the full TV licence fee.

Its expected the move will bring in an additional €5 million a year.

Former Communications Minister Eamon Ryan says it would be difficult to police.