Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach agus na finnéithe. It is still not clear, either from Mr. Ryan's contribution or the report that was submitted, just what the methodology is for selecting games. As Deputy O'Sullivan suggested, we need to focus on solutions. In one of his responses to my colleague, Deputy Andrews, Mr. Ryan spoke about making sure the interests of the GAA are met. Given the concerns that many audience members and Gaels have raised, and that we are looking at the future of broadcasting, we need to reorient our thinking in reaching a solution.

Is it appropriate that audiences and Gaels in particular have to pay an additional charge on top of their licence fee to the same organisation because RTÉ is one of the owners of GAAGO? Just because there was a particular arrangement with Sky does not mean that approach or model has to be replicated in what is meant to be a new arrangement involving GAAGO and RTÉ. Would it not be better to organise a more fulsome approach for any future arrangements? I do not think anyone is suggesting that every game has to be broadcast on television. We all agree that GAAGO can be a very positive platform and outlet. The issue of concern is the paywall and how it is put in place for some matches and not for others. There are also the issues of accessibility and fairness.

It is not something I do very regularly, but I obviously pay my licence fee in the North. If I want to watch multiple courts during Wimbledon, for example, I can press a button and do that. If I am watching Glastonbury and want to watch multiple stages, I can do that. If I want to watch a particular game that BBC Northern Ireland has the rights for, I can press the red button and watch it free of charge or, rather, for the cost of the licence. Is that a model the GAA needs to look at in future? It is a model that is certainly beyond simply TV broadcasting but is far more accessible and reachable for viewers.