AIM Ireland calls for a streaming levy to support Irish music
Ireland’s independent music trade body is calling for measures to help pump music back into its own music economy.
A new conversation is starting in Ireland about how music streaming can better support local talent. AIM Ireland has called on the government to introduce a content levy on major streaming platforms such as Spotify. The goal is to raise funds that can be reinvested into the next generation of Irish musicians and the wider independent music sector.
AIM Ireland, or the Association of Independent Music, represents Ireland’s independent music industry. This includes record labels, managers, producers, and others working on the business side of music. Founded in 2020, the organisation has grown in influence and now holds board seats on key European trade bodies, including Impala and the European Music Managers Alliance. As part of its plans for 2026, AIM Ireland is preparing to push for stronger government support for music in Ireland.
Streaming now plays a major role in how people listen to music, and the money involved is significant. As Digital Music News notes, a report published by the Irish Music Rights Organization (IMRO) over the summer found that the average Irish adult spends €172 per year on music streaming. More than half of those surveyed said they pay for streaming services in some form. AIM Ireland believes this level of spending shows there is room for a levy that could support local music without relying solely on public funding.
According to Colm Hanley, AIM Ireland’s recently appointed chief executive, even a modest levy on large multinational streaming companies operating in Ireland could have a big impact. He has suggested that a small percentage of this existing spend could be redirected and “reinvested back into the independent sector,” something he described as “huge” for the industry.
AIM Ireland has framed the proposed levy as part of a wider effort to keep more value from Irish music within the country. Rather than focusing only on streaming platforms themselves, the organisation has stressed the importance of building long-term support structures that allow music businesses to grow sustainably.
“Our goal is to make sure that Irish music can compete internationally, but then we can also keep more of that economic value here in the country,” said Colm Hanley.
The idea is still at an early stage. Hanley has described the proposal as being “in the very early stages of development,” with no immediate plans for legislation. The Irish government is reportedly cautious, particularly when it comes to introducing new levies on large international media companies during a period of heightened trade tension between the European Union and the United States.
Countries such as France and Canada already require streaming services to contribute more directly to local culture, showing that similar systems can exist elsewhere. However, particularly in Canada’s case, this levy was met with some opposition and felt somewhat controversial.
When discussing how Ireland might approach this in practice, Hanley has suggested looking at policies already used in other creative industries. He has highlighted the Section 481 tax credit in film, which has helped attract investment and production to Ireland and has “proved quite successful.”
Whether or not a levy is introduced, the conversation reflects a broader challenge facing music globally; how streaming growth can be matched with meaningful, long-term investment in artists and local music communities.