Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Ireland's Euro 2012 soccer internationals will be available to Irish emigrants to view online worldwide next summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38080/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states the principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and Section 98 provides that it shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act. As such I, as Minister, have no function in RTÉ's general day to day matters such as programming. I note, however, that Section 114(1)(f) provides that one of RTÉ's primary objectives is "to establish, maintain and operate a television broadcasting service and a sound broadcasting service.......which services shall be made available, in so far as RTÉ considers reasonably practicable, to Irish communities outside the island of Ireland". RTÉ has informed me that it is only licensed to broadcast the relevant Euro 12 international games within the borders of this State because UEFA, as rights holders, licence broadcasters such as RTÉ strictly on a territorial basis. It is for this reason that these internationals will not be available to watch online on RTÉ outside the territory of the State.