Seanad debates
Wednesday, 5 March 2003
Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage.
I am glad the legislation is being introduced and hope it results in the increased public availability of sports events. As citizens, we are entitled to the products of our culture which it would be obscene to allow Sky television to buy. It would make a cat laugh to imagine the GAA selling to Rupert Murdoch when it blanches at the prospect of a so-called foreign game. Since it appears not to mind selling out its entire ethos to scoundrels like Rupert Murdoch, I am pleased to see this Bill before the House. I wish it had been brought forward earlier and that we had been tougher with those of Rupert Murdoch's ilk. The more Rupert Murdoch and his like inch their way into this society, the more we will learn to rue the day. I take up this matter, not out of an interest in watching sport, although I will play anything once, but because there is a significant political point to be made about the way in which people like this insinuate their way into our public life.
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