Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the discussions he has had in relation to making the Six Nations and Heineken Cup rugby matches free to air for television viewers here; the outcome of these discussions; if he has met with the Irish Rugby Football Union; the way he will address their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23437/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The audiovisual media services directive provides that member states of the European Union may designate sporting and cultural events of major importance to society as free-to-air. Many member states have listed such events as free-to-air including Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Ireland drew up the current list in 2003 under the Broadcasting Act 1999. The Broadcasting Act 2009, having transposed the audiovisual media services directive, sets down the statutory process for designating events free-to-air. Section 162 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that I may, by order, designate events of major importance to society in order that a qualifying broadcaster has the right to provide coverage on free television services in the public interest and determine whether coverage of a designated event should be available on a live or deferred basis.

The Broadcasting Act also requires that I conduct a review of designated events every three years. This review was initiated with a preliminary public consultation in 2009, during which submissions were invited from members of the public, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport and all other interested parties on the existing list of designated events and the possible designation of additional events. During this stage submissions were received from a large number of members of the public, broadcasters, several sporting organisations, including the IRFU, and from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Following a review of the submissions received and an analysis of the criteria for listing events, I published a list of additional events which I considered suitable for designation. The proposed events in Gaelic games are the provincial finals, the senior football and hurling championships and the all-Ireland championship senior football and hurling quarter-finals and semi-finals. In rugby, it is proposed to move from deferred coverage to live coverage of Ireland's games in the Six Nations rugby football championship and live coverage of the European Rugby Cup qualifiers, that is, the pre-quarter final stages, the quarter final, the semi-finals and final when an Irish team is participating. In horse racing, the Cheltenham Festival would be included.

My proposals were noted by the Government and, as set out in the Broadcasting Act, I have asked for submissions from a range of people.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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My question specifically referred to the Six Nations and the Heineken Cup, which the Minister intended to make free-to-air for Irish audiences. It appears he has since rowed back from his position because he is now saying that he has an open mind.

I would be grateful if he could set out the exact Government position because Ministers appear to hold conflicting views. In my opinion, this is a good idea but it has been badly thought out, if it was thought out at all. Is it the case, for example, that the former Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen, was strongly opposed to the proposal? What is the position of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport? Sitting on the fence will not help anybody but I take it that she has made a submission on the issue.

When the Taoiseach spoke about a common sense approach, he was interpreted as referring to the Six Nations but not the Heineken Cup. Is that what is meant by "common sense approach"?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I think we should take a common sense approach to everything we do. I was interested to learn that Deputy McManus supports the proposal to make the Heineken Cup and the Six Nations free-to-air.

This process allows people to set out their views and to take account of different arguments. It is set out on a statutory basis. We started one year ago by putting the matter out for public consultation and we received a range of submissions. I, as Minister, then issued a list of suggestions regarding which events should be broadcast on a designated free-to-air basis and, having considered these suggestions, designated certain events. These designated events are subject to a further period of consultation so that people can have their say before we go to Europe to get approval and give the decision a legal basis which will require broadcasters' compliance. The process is based on consultation and I look forward to everyone's involvement. The involvement of this House is particularly important and I welcome that Deputies on all sides hold differing views.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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We should not rewrite history. The Minister had his period of consultation but it seems that he listened most closely to his son. I do not argue with that but he did not work out his position. When he announced his intention to designate at the end of what appeared to be a consultation period, all hell broke lose and he is now trying to dress up the process to make it seem as if he is beginning again. He said that he intended to designate and I understand this comes after taking advice from the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, although he still has not addressed that question. The then Minister was opposed to it. What is the position of the current Minister? Does she support the proposal? If the Minister, Deputy Ryan, cannot persuade his colleagues in Government, he is on a hiding to nothing.

What efforts have been made to investigate the cost of this proposal to the IRFU? I do not usually defend the IRFU, although I think rugby is a wonderful sport, but it is struggling at present. In terms of commercial resources, it is down approximately €560,000 because of the recession and reduced advertising revenue. However, when the Minister announced his proposal, he blithely claimed it would be able to make up the difference, whether it is €10 million or €12 million. That is irresponsible policy development.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I call the Minister for a final reply.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I would be grateful if he answered the question.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I never spoke to my son about this-----

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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That is sad.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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-----but it is important that we allow children to watch certain sports. Young boys and girls of a certain age should be able to see their heroes in action.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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We are not arguing that issue.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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They should be able to dream that they will be the next Brian O'Driscoll or Ronan O'Gara.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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For God's sake, skip the lecture and answer the question.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Excuse me, I am trying to respond to Deputy McManus's comments.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister is entitled to respond in any way he likes.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Answer my question.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Could he answer the question?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Please allow the Minister to speak.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I am responding to Deputy McManus's comments on my announcement. I never blithely say anything regarding IRFU finances. I am very aware of the need for professional sports to secure funding but we should stick to the issues.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Stick to the questions I asked.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I am answering the Deputy's questions. Her claim that I blithely disregarded IRFU finances is not true. We should consider the fundamental question of whether the financial success of the sport in the long term is dependent on a fan base or a broadcasting contract. I believe that if one loses a supporter base or 80% of one's audience by moving away from a free-to-air service-----

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Answer the question.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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What does the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, think?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The answer to the question is I believe that is a factor.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Scandalous.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Allow the Minister to respond.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The prospect of losing an audience is the biggest threat to the revenue stream of any sporting body.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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That is a shocking reply.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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He is entitled to respond anyway he likes, I am afraid.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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That is a fact which all of us must take into account.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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What is the opinion of the Minister, Deputy Hanafin?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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If Deputy McManus supports the position, I presume she would agree with the point that holding on to an audience is important for future commercial revenues.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I ask the Minister to reply to Question No. 25.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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It is an absolute disgrace.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I would argue the point with the Deputy if she made a detailed case.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I have called Question No. 25.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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What is the opinion of the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, on this matter?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We are moving on to the next question.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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If I may answer the question-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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No, you may not.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I will return to it when we come to oral questions. I am happy to debate the matter for as long as possible.