Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to address the House today and I thank the Seanad for the invitation. This is the last step on a long but worthwhile process and I welcome this opportunity to have the final stage in Seanad Éireann.

The motion put forward for approval relates to the designation of major events or the designation of events of major importance to society. The Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that I may designate certain sporting and cultural events of major importance to society in order to make them freely available on national television. In accordance with this legislation, a review of the list of designated events is conducted every three years after the conclusion of the previous review. My Department began the current review in June 2014, receiving a number of submissions from the public and relevant sporting organisations and broadcasters. Following an initial consultation, the Cabinet approved the launch of a further public consultation seeking submissions from interested parties on the current list and the possible designation of additional events.

A total of 493 submissions were received as a result of the public consultation. The consultants, Indecon, were hired to conduct a full review of the current designated events, the proposed events and the submissions received during the public consultation. Having considered this report, and consulted the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I decided to retain the events on the current list since 2003 and to add the All-Ireland Ladies Football and Camogie finals. The ladies' senior finals deserve this special recognition that is already afforded to the men's senior finals. The designation of these events is an acknowledgment of the valuable contribution that the representative associations make to women's sport throughout Ireland. Ladies football and camogie players are hugely valuable role models for girls around the country who they inspire to get involved in their local clubs. The quality of both football and camogie would teach many a young player, male and female, the skills of the game. In fact, in some cases but definitely in hurling, the camogie and ladies football championships have been far more entertaining than the men's championships. As a result, both attendance and viewing figures continue to increase for these events. This year alone as many as 46,286 people attended the senior and intermediate ladies football finals in Croke Park. This is an increase of approximately 13,000 on the 2016 final and makes it the best attended female sporting event in Europe this year. Not only that, attendance at the event was on a par with a number of other top sporting occasions this year such as the Munster senior hurling final, which had an attendance of over 45,000 or the PRO12 final between Munster and Scarlets that had an attendance of 44,000 people.

In accordance with the audiovisual media services directive, the proposed designation list was submitted for EU approval in February of this year. Following consideration by the EU Commission, approval was granted for the designation of the ladies football and camogie finals in May 2017.

The final stage in the process requires a resolution of both Houses. At the request of both Houses, the draft order designating these events was referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The committee has approved the draft order and fully supports the designation of these events. Earlier this week, Dáil Éireann passed this motion recognising the importance of the senior ladies finals. As one can see, this has been a comprehensive process with a thorough examination by a number of parties. It has provided the public, sporting bodies and broadcasters the opportunity to decide which events they would like to see designated free-to-air for the next three years. I am confident that all Senators will agree with the value of designating these events. I welcome any questions that members may have or clarifications required at this time.