Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, he is here also. Well done to him. We are well represented, although so far we have not troubled the GAA in championship terms very often. We do intend to get over this.

Like other Deputies, sometimes it feels that because we are asking detailed questions there is criticism of an organisation. I do not think anybody could or should undervalue the great work being done by Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. It has given us and our predecessors a great deal and, undoubtedly, our successors in future generations will play and enjoy our unique Irish games. It has given us great moments of glory and a feelgood factor that no other organisation could give.

I understand the need for a commercial organisation. Cumann Lúthchleas Gael is a commercial organisation which is doing an awful lot of voluntary work, but, nonetheless, I understand it must make commercial decisions. I accept that the decision on media rights between 2014 and 2017 had a mix of commercial considerations, although it has been said the amount of additional revenue is insignificant. I have no doubt that commercial considerations were taken into account side by side with the need to maximise access to our beautiful games, whether in Ireland or for Irish people and others living abroad. It is not so much a question of whether it is through a subscription channel or free-to-air. What is important is whether the measure will be successful and the factors the GAA took into account are valid. A report was produced by Mr. Paul Rouse, a lecturer in the school of history and archives at UCD and formerly of “Prime Time” at RTE, on the impact of pay TV on sport. It is a little out of date in that it was published in 2012 and based on 2007 data.

He examined the Heineken Cup viewing figures for 2006 and 2007. In 2006 the Heineken Cup semi-finals were covered by RTE and 62% of viewers watched them. In 2007 it was covered by Sky Sports and only 25% of viewers watched it. He also found that the first cricket test in 2004 between England and New Zealand had been covered by Channel 4. On day five of its coverage it had over 1 million viewers. The second test was carried by Sky Sports and there were only 85,000 viewers. While many people have access to Sky, not many have access to Sky Sports.