Vol. 562 No. 4
140 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to place before the Houses of the Oireachtas the draft order of the list of events to be designated as events of major importance to be generally available on television; if he anticipates changes from the draft list submitted to the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6269/03]
It is my intention to place the draft order designating certain sporting events on the order of business of both Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest possible date. I will not make any change to the list of events which was recently approved by the EU Commission and the Contact Committee set up under the Television Without Frontiers Directive.
The Deputy will be aware that I have recently published a Bill designed to strengthen the 1999 Act to ensure that the events included in the designation order will continue to be made available to qualifying Irish broadcasters. It is expected that Second Stage of the Bill will be taken in the Seanad tomorrow.
