Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had recent discussion with broadcasting or sporting authorities with a view to ensuring free to air transmission in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26541/06]

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 as events of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on a live basis on free television should be provided in the public interest.

This decision was made following a public consultation process conducted by my Department that resulted in close to 190 submissions being received from members of the public and interested parties. The criteria that must be met in order to justify designation are set down in the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act, 1999.