Minister Eamon Ryan proposes Heineken Cup, GAA matches and Cheltenham Cup as Free-to-Air for Irish viewers

The following press statement was issued by the Department od Comunications, Energy and Natural Resources on Dublin 30th April 2010

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan announced today the list of events he proposes to designate as of major importance to society, thus making them free-to-air for Irish television viewers.

The Audio Visual Media Services Directive and Broadcasting Act provides that EU member states may designate certain sporting and cultural events in order to make them available on free television.

The proposed additional events are:

Gaelic Games - Provincial Finals in the Senior Football and Hurling Championships

- All Ireland Championship Senior Football and Hurling Quarter finals and Semi finals

Rugby - Ireland’s games in the Six Nations Rugby Football Championship (move from deferred to live basis)

- European Rugby Cup (qualifiers - pre quarter final stages - quarter finals, semi finals and final when an Irish team is participating) live

Horse Racing - The Cheltenham Festival

Minister Ryan said, “These events are part of what we are as a nation and their enjoyment should be available to all. These special events should not be limited to those who have a subscription or pay-per-view service – they warrant the widest possible access for Irish people.”

Under legislation, the Minister must consult with the public, organisers of these events and broadcasters before bringing forward the requisite legislative changes.

Advertisements will appear in national newspapers next week, with the consultation process ending on June 4 2010. Thereafter, the list will go to the European Commission for final approval.

##ENDS

Note to editors:

The existing list of games:

Events available on a live basis

The Summer Olympics

The All-Ireland Senior Inter-County Football and Hurling Finals

Ireland's home and away qualifying games in the European Football Championship and the FIFA World Cup Tournaments

Ireland's games in the European Football Championship Finals Tournament and the FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament

The opening games, the semi-finals and final of the European Football Championship Finals and the FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament

Ireland's games in the Rugby World Cup Finals Tournament

The Irish Grand National and the Irish Derby

The Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show

Events available on a deferred basis

Each of Ireland's games in the Six Nations Rugby Football Championship is designated as an event of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on a deferred basis on a free television service should be provided in the public interest.

An Irish Independent article by Aine Kerr on April 30th 2010 also talks about this.