Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

It is because people get together and try to fix the price for their benefit. There was a time when petrol in my area was the cheapest in the country. The reason for this was that people were going across the Border to buy petrol at lower prices. My area is now one of the most expensive in which to buy petrol because the price in the North has risen to such a degree. No matter how much the price of petrol in the Republic increases, it is more expensive in the North and, therefore, I must drive to Ashbourne to buy cheap petrol. I am in favour of the free market, in principle, but not absolutely. I concur with the sentiments expressed by other speakers, particularly Senator Norris, in this regard.

Some Senators raised the issue of delay. Since becoming Minister, I have acted as expeditiously as possible in all the various steps we took. I said at the outset that I was a reluctant intervener in this area and that I had other issues on my agenda which I wanted to address. I also stated that I did not think Governments should intervene in this market. However, we were given the ability to do so by the EU directive.

To a large extent, the people who intervened or distorted the market went into the situation with their eyes wide open. It was not as if they were not forewarned because the legislation was well debated. Senator Finucane said that the directive referred to timely action. The fact is that just five states have acted in relation to this matter. I understand others will be acting, some on the same basis as Ireland. These include the UK, Italy, Germany, Austria and Denmark. The latter has decided to withdraw because of its situation.

In fairness to my predecessor, the Act was passed and consultations took place afterwards. There was outright opposition by the sporting organisations, which was a factor. It was not a question of our favouring one organisation over another. They expressed their opposition on the basis that designation would affect their ability to deal with sporting rights.

However, there was a general and clear understanding that the organisations would not sell to an outside broadcaster. Some Members have questioned why certain GAA games have been included while others have been excluded. During the public consultation process, the GAA made it clear that it did not intend to deal with an unqualifying broadcaster to the detriment of a qualifying broadcaster within the State. In view of this, intervention was not required.