Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I call for a debate with the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, about how the GAA is viewed by the RTÉ network. I am deeply concerned that the GAA is considered to be a third-class entity by RTÉ. There were 14 matches last weekend, but none was shown by the national broadcaster on Saturday and only two were shown on Sunday. Of 14 matches, only two were shown by the national broadcaster. We have the bizarre situation where "The Sunday Game" has been moved to a late night slot around 10.15 p.m. It is nearly X-rated. It is absolutely crazy to think that it is on at almost 10.30 p.m. We are trying to get young people to watch our sports, but it is very hard if we put the programme on that late at night.

We also have the bizarre situation that at 1.15 p.m. next Saturday a senior hurling match will happen in Thurles to fit the RTÉ schedule because a rugby match is also on. The United Rugby Championship, URC, rugby match, in which no Irish team is participating, is taking up the slot. We should be looking at a prime time slot for these games. How RTÉ views the GAA, and hurling in particular, is a significant issue. There needs to be a debate with the Minister about how the GAA is looked upon with regard to prime-time slots.

There is a bizarre situation with GAAGO, which is running a platform that has not been approved by the regulator. The regulator started its work on that in May 2023 and has still not made a decision.We need the Minister to come to the Chamber to outline her vision for RTÉ's role in promoting the national sport. At the moment, I do not believe it is doing an appropriate job, with the national sport now being considered a third-class citizen within the organisation. People are deeply concerned about the relationship between RTÉ and GAAGO and how all this ties together. I fundamentally believe we have a conflict of interest when we have GAAGO and RTÉ working together and then RTÉ deciding what goes on the platform itself. There is something seriously wrong here.