Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2023
52. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline her Department's plans to ensure that as many GAA games as possible are free to air; if she will outline her Department's engagement with the GAA and RTÉ in relation to GAAGO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23463/23]
View answerThe designation of events as free to air is an important statutory process which allows for certain events to be designated following a defined process. Designated events must meet specific criteria set out in the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, 2010 and be approved by the European Commission. The process is designed to provide for free to air broadcast of certain events which hold a special significance or cultural resonance for the public, particularly events in which our national teams participate. It is not intended to ensure free to air coverage of entire competitions or all of one particular sport’s events.
In the initial stages of designation, a public consultation is undertaken to ascertain potential new events for designation. Subsequently, events that proposed for designation are subject to another consultation and my Department also consults with stakeholders and the sporting bodies. In addition, an independent evaluation is undertaken that considers the financial implications of designation and the extent to which the proposed events meet the European criteria. Following engagement with the EU Commission to seek approval for the proposed events, a draft Order listing those events must be laid before both houses of the Oireachtas.
The Hurling and Football Senior Championships have a special place in the hearts of GAA fans. However, as the structure of the championship evolves and more games are scheduled for a shorter season, it is inevitable that there will be occasions when high profile games will clash and it will not be possible for certain games to be broadcast. In addition, the viewing needs of the public as a whole needs to be taken into account. The public consultation which forms part of the review process provides the opportunity for sports fans to put forward their views and have a say in which events are designated.
The issue of sports rights for GAA matches is a commercial matter for the GAA as an independent body. Likewise, RTÉ is an independent body which makes its own commercial, scheduling and editorial decisions. As such it is not appropriate for me to intervene directly in these matters.
