Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Regarding sport, media and Dr. May's submission regarding the future of media and the future sport, the future of sport is an integral part of the debate in respect of the commercialisation of sport and the media as the medium by which to facilitate that.

Everything is driven by one thing, which is television revenue. That has pumped millions into sport and done much good but there can equally be devices behind that as well.

I ask about Irish involvement in the proposed European super league, which is back from the dead like a zombie. People may think there is no Irish interest and that the notion is laughable but that could not be further from the truth. The Spanish sports management company, A22, which is driving the proposal and the TV-rights deal which will be central to it, has moved away from the select clubs it initially looked at and towards an EU-wide, 27-country proposal ,which would involve Ireland. Progress is dependent on a ruling from the European Court of Justice. Has Sport Ireland spoken to the FAI or the league director about potential Irish support for a breakaway league? Daniel McDonnell, soccer editor of the Irish Independent, this week reported that none of the top Irish league sides has been contacted about this. Are negotiations or talk happening at a national level? Does Sport Ireland have a view on Irish involvement in a breakaway league, which would destabilise our domestic game?