JOINT COMMITTEE ON ARTS, SPORT, TOURISM, COMMUNITY, RURAL AND GAELTACHT AFFAIRS díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Sep 2008

Business of Joint Committee.

Senator Jerry Buttimer

I am not sure if the matter I am about to raise is for this committee. Like many members I was abroad during part of the Olympic Games and was amazed that I could not watch RTE News or listen to Morning Ireland on-line. On the occasion of the Cork v. Kilkenny all-Ireland hurling semi-final, despite the result, I was dismayed I could not listen to that game live on-line. It was very poor of RTE, as the national broadcaster, that it had an embargo on the transmission of our games and live programming on-line. It had an announcement that live streaming was part of the Olympics with the NBC or whatever. It is not good enough in this modern day that members of the diaspora, who want to listen to and watch our programming, and those who are abroad on holidays, cannot access to our national broadcasting station. Fortunately, in my case, our own “County Sound” programme on Cork carried the match live. This was replicated on all the Sundays during the Olympic Games.

I would like clarification on whether live streaming of the championship matches outside Ireland is covered as part of the transmission by RTE of the all-Ireland series? It is bad form. I suggest we raise the matter with the RTE chief executive because it discommoded people. It was a disconnect and it was wrong.

Chairman

I found myself in the exact same position. The Tyrone v. Dublin match was played on the same day. It was very wrong on the part of RTE. There is nothing we can do about whatever agreement exists in connection with the embargo on broadcasting anything about the Olympics, but surely in this age of IT it could have been possible to differentiate between the Olympics and every other game, including the Radio na Gaeltachta news bulletins.That was not going to affect the games. I immediately made contact with the office of the chief executive, Cathal Goan, whose staff came back to me and said it was too late to do it. It should not be allowed happen again.

Deputy John O’Mahony

I wish to be associated with those comments as I found myself in a similar situation. Whatever the excuse for the Olympics, RTE always publicises the fact that one can get its services on-line but does not explain that one cannot get it on-line outside the country. The matter should be put right straight away.

Chairman

I presume it is a matter for the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. We will write to that committee and also to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I expect there will be a report back. I thank members for raising the issue because they are echoing the views of thousands of other people.

Deputy Cyprian Brady

Will the reply be circulated to members?

Chairman

Yes.

Senator Jerry Buttimer

I suggest we congratulate our Olympians on their success.

Chairman

We will certainly do that. I congratulate all the participants and in particular those who won medals.

The joint committee adjourned at 4.15 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 24 September 2008.