Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Broadcasting Legislation.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

435 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the efforts he is making to ensure that all home soccer international games will be broadcast free to Irish viewers; the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15258/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

As I indicated my reply to Question No. 192 on 26 March 2003, the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003, signed by me on 13 March 2003, designates a range of sporting events as events of major importance to society which should, in the public interest, continue to be made available on Irish free to air television services. In accordance with article 3a of the television without frontiers directive, the designation order was given EU wide effect on 26 April 2003 with the publication by the European Commission in the Official Journal of the European Communities of a notice of the measures which Ireland has taken in this regard.

In addition, the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage)(Amendment) Act 2003 strengthens the provisions of the 1999 Act in order to ensure that the events included in the designation order will continue to be made available to qualifying broadcasters in Ireland. On foot of the above measures it was recently announced that the Football Association of Ireland and RTE have concluded an agreement for the live transmission of competitive international soccer matches on free to air television.