Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her views on the proposals for free to air transmission of certain sporting events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36703/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is statutorily required to consult with me before making an order or amending an order to list events of major importance which must be available on free television service. I have made a written submission to the Minister on this issue and I intend to engage further with the Minister prior to the Government taking a decision on this issue. I believe that there is a need to maintain a balance between the rights of the public to have free to air access to sports events and the rights of sporting bodies to fund and thereby sustain and develop their sport.