Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the result of his endeavours to bring about the free to air broadcasting of the Ryder Cup or other sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20694/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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On 5th April last, I announced that it was my intention, following consultation with my Cabinet colleagues, to continue to designate the current list of designated events.

This decision was made following a public consultation process conducted by my Department which resulted in close to 190 submissions being received from members of the public and interested parties. The criteria which must be met in order to justify designation are set down in the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act, 1999. In making a decision in the matter, it was clear to me that the Ryder Cup met some, but not all, of the criteria in question.

Apart from the Ryder Cup, my Department also received submissions proposing designation of games involving Irish teams in the European Rugby Cup and provincial games in the All Ireland Football and Hurling Championship. It was considered, however, that notwithstanding the major interest in such events, that they did not meet the criteria laid down in legislation or in the European Directive to allow me to designate them.