John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

There are four amendments to present to the Seanad. On amendment No. 1, following the publication of the Bill, officials from my Department met with the IRFU and the FAI. Both organisations pointed out that section 4(1), as published, would make it possible for a qualifying broadcaster to apply to the High Court for access to a designated event right up to the day before the event takes place. They argued that this would severely restrict their ability to do a deal with a non-qualifying broadcaster where a qualifying broadcaster either decides not to apply to the High Court for access or decides not to pay the reasonable market rates set by the court.

There are two issues involved. The first issue is that the event organiser, and not just the qualifying broadcaster, should be able to trigger the High Court route, so as to bring the matter to a head. The second issue is that the High Court should be given sufficient time to take a decision well before the event takes places.