Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

We agree with today's Order of Business. Will the Leader find out from the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources why the Government has decided not to designate the Ryder Cup as an event for free-to-air viewing? The Minister stated three months ago that he would designate it but yesterday he announced that was not possible. I have yet to hear an explanation from him as to why it is not possible.

This is a major international sporting event in this country. It is the second biggest worldwide sporting event in terms of audience numbers. It will showcase this country as no other event can do. Irish golf fans will be very disappointed that the only way they can see this event next September is by buying into the Sky package. Fewer than 20% of Irish homes have Sky so about 80% of people will not be able to see the Ryder Cup. It is utterly wrong that people will not have free viewing access to this major international sporting event, which has brought such pride to this country. One of the great success stories of Irish sport in recent years has been the achievements of golfers such as Paul McGinley, Pádraig Harrington and Darren Clarke.

Golf is one of the only sports in this country which has no partitionist view. The Golfing Union of Ireland is a 32-county body. Golf is a sport that brings people together around the country yet the Government has chosen not to designate the Ryder Cup as a free-to-air event. It is the wrong decision and I want to find out why it has been made.

There will understandably be concern about the suspected case of bird flu in Fife in Scotland that we heard about yesterday and about which we will hear more today. There is a responsibility on all politicians and community leaders to show concern about this and to be prepared for the worst possible scenario, but also not to overreact because of our significant poultry industry. We do not want people to stop eating chicken. It is important that the risks to human health are put in perspective. The Government should commence a national campaign today to ensure people are aware of this so we do not see a massive downturn in our poultry industry.