Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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1723. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the processes involved in the tendering for the broadcast of GAA matches on public and private broadcast networks; the frequency with which this process must take place; the efforts in place to allow for the national broadcaster to have fair access to GAA matches in view of its public service responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28259/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The sale of the broadcasting rights of sporting events, including the right to broadcast GAA matches, is a matter for the rights holder concerned and any broadcaster that may have an interest in purchasing these rights. As Minister, I have no role in this process.   Section 114 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states the principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and Section 118 of the Act states the equivalent objects and associated powers of TG4. Section 98 provides that both shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act.

The Audiovisual Media Services Directive provides that Member States may designate sporting and cultural events of major importance to society as free-to-air. At a national level, the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the statutory process for designating events as free-to-air in this jurisdiction.

Under the 2009 Act, I, as Minister, am obliged to review the list of designated events every three years. The purpose of the review is to consider the appropriateness of the current list of designated events and to examine whether to add any  events of major importance to society.

Currently, the All Ireland Senior Inter-County Football and Hurling Finals are designated as events of major importance to society and are made available for broadcasting on a free to air basis.  

I have recently received approval from the European Commission to designate the All Ireland Senior Ladies Football and Camogie Finals as events of major importance. This process will be completed shortly and will ensure that these events will be available on a free to air basis.