Vol. 497 No. 3
48 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when she will introduce legislation to ensure general availability on television of major sporting events following her recent announcement; the main provisions of her proposed legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24786/98]
As the Deputy is aware, the Government recently approved my proposals to introduce legislation on television coverage of events which are considered to be of major importance to society. The main elements of my legislative proposals are as follows: — power to enable me as Minister to draw up, in consultation with the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation and subject to certain criteria that will be set down in the legislation, a list of events designated as being of major importance to society. Following enactment of the legislation, extensive public consultation and consultation with event organisers and broadcasters is envisaged in drawing up the list. I will also have to determine whether the events designated should be available on free to air television on a live or deferred basis and whether such coverage should be on a whole or partial basis.
The list of events will be given effect by way of a positive statutory order and will require the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas. Provision to amend the order will also be made. Broadcasters who are not qualifying broadcasters under the proposals and who acquire exclusive rights to a designated event will be required to make the event available at reasonable rates to a broadcaster who has the status of a qualifying broadcaster under the legislation. For an initial three year period, RTE, Teilifís na Gaeilge and TV3 will be deemed to be qualifying broadcasters. Thereafter, the proposals envisage that a qualifying broadcaster will be one who provides a free to-air service to at least 95 per cent of the population. However, where the 95 per cent coverage threshold reduces the number of qualifying broadcasters to only two, a broadcaster with 90 per cent coverage will qualify. The proposals provide a basis for action in the courts if a broadcaster believes that another broadcaster is engaging or about to engage in activities prohibited under the proposed legislation.
The proposals have been referred to the Attorney General for drafting into a Bill which will be presented to the Oireachtas as soon as possible.
