Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options for the broadcasting of all sporting events here; if he expects to be in a position to ensure free to air transmission of sport events in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12098/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Television Without Frontiers Directive provides that member states of the European Communities 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. The Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003 specified the events designated as events of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on free television services should be provided in the public interest.

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 and every three years thereafter, that is to say, not later than 2009. Following a review of designated events in 2006, I announced on 5 April 2006 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 designation of events as events of major importance to society provides a right of access to qualifying broadcasters, that is broadcasters who provide near universal coverage, to provide coverage of a designated event on free television services subject to normal commercial considerations for broadcasting.