Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options for the broadcasting of all sporting events here; if he expects or intends to influence free to air transmission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15425/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The television without frontiers directive provides that member states of the European Union may designate certain sporting and cultural events as being of major importance to society and that events so designated should continue to be available on a free television service. It is a matter for each individual member state to decide whether or not to draw up a list.

In March 2003 the then Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources made an order designating certain sports events as events of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on a live or deferred basis should be provided in the public interest. The order was made in accordance with the provisions of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Acts 1999 to 2003 and was designed to ensure that specified events would continue to be available on a free to air and universal basis in Ireland.

Section 9 of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Act 2003 requires me to carry out a review of designated events not later than three years after the passing of the 2003 Act, that is to say not later than April 2006. Following a public consultation process on the matter and detailed consideration of all the circumstances, I have decided to continue the designation of all the events designated in 2003 and not to add any additional events to the list.