Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 88:

In page 69, to delete lines 24 to 26 and substitute the following: “33. Section 114 of the Principal Act is amended in subsection (1)—

(a) in paragraph (f), by the substation of “in full, unless limited by factors beyond the control of RTÉ,” for “, in so far as RTÉ considers reasonably practicable,”, and

(b) in paragraph (h), by the substitution of “audiovisual on-demand media services” for “non-broadcast non-linear audio-visual media services”.”.

I take the point the Minister made in terms of compelling others in relation to the territorial aspect of sporting rights. However, Deputy Munster raised a valid point about how these relationships and contracts can change. I do not think anybody will be unrealistic when it comes to compelling RTÉ to pay that extra premium where that premium does not exist or where no conversation or negotiations have taken place with others who may have access or control over that premium. It would be important for RTÉ to have those conversations and open up those dialogues to prevent this geoblocking, especially when it comes to the likes of the GAA, which is a 32-county organisation and 32 counties participate in it. I do not think any of us were happy with the scenario, as Deputy Mythen mentioned, where the winning team’s own towns could not access watching them lift the Sam Maguire Cup that time. I am speaking on amendment No. 88, but there is an onus on RTÉ to have those conversations where others have those licensing rights, particularly to sporting events. If it is not an issue that can be addressed under this Bill, it is an issue that should be examined or explored under another policy or other legislation.