from RTE sport The Government is to review the list of sporting events that have to be covered free-to-air because they are of major importance to society. Under the review, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan is inviting the public to make submissions on events that should be added to the list.
Currently, the list comprises:
– The Summer Olympics
– The All-Ireland Senior Football and Hurling finals
– Ireland’s Quallifying games in the European Football Championship and World Cup
– The opening games, semi-finals and the final of the European Football Championship Finals and the FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament
– Ireland’s games at the Rugby World Cup Finals Tournament
– The Irish Grand National and the Irish Derby
– The Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show
The ‘deferred coverage’ list currently contains just one event; Ireland’s games in the Six Nations Rugby Championship.
Announcing the review, Minister Ryan said: ‘There are certain events which should fall outside the solely commercial remit – these are events that are much more than matches or ceremonies. They are part of what we are as a nation and their enjoyment should be available to all.
‘I would urge interested members of the public to submit their ideas, which I can promise will be noted with great care.’
The public have until 8 May 2009 to make submissions.
