Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The designation of events as free to air is an important statutory process which allows for certain events to be designated following a defined process. Designated events must meet specific criteria set out in the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, 2010 and be approved by the European Commission. The process is designed to provide for free to air broadcast of certain events which hold a special significance or cultural resonance for the public, particularly events in which our national teams participate. It is not intended to ensure free to air coverage of entire competitions or all of one particular sport’s events.

In the initial stages of designation, a public consultation is undertaken to ascertain potential new events for designation. Subsequently, events that proposed for designation are subject to another consultation and my Department also consults with stakeholders and the sporting bodies. In addition, an independent evaluation is undertaken that considers the financial implications of designation and the extent to which the proposed events meet the European criteria. Following engagement with the EU Commission to seek approval for the proposed events, a draft Order listing those events must be laid before both houses of the Oireachtas.

The Hurling and Football Senior Championships have a special place in the hearts of GAA fans. However, as the structure of the championship evolves and more games are scheduled for a shorter season, it is inevitable that there will be occasions when high profile games will clash and it will not be possible for certain games to be broadcast. In addition, the viewing needs of the public as a whole needs to be taken into account. The public consultation which forms part of the review process provides the opportunity for sports fans to put forward their views and have a say in which events are designated.

The issue of sports rights for GAA matches is a commercial matter for the GAA as an independent body. Likewise, RTÉ is an independent body which makes its own commercial, scheduling and editorial decisions. As such it is not appropriate for me to intervene directly in these matters.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will intervene in the matter of GAA matches not being broadcast on a free-to-air basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23197/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Other than those events which are designated for broadcast as free to air, the question of which sporting events are broadcast, and how they are broadcast, is primarily a matter for the sports body concerned together with their broadcast partner.

The GAA have commercial agreements in place to provide for extensive coverage of Gaelic Games, and the provincial and All Ireland championships in particular. The revenue generated from these agreements is re-invested by the GAA at all levels from grassroots to elite.

The structure of the GAA Championship has changed this year, and a greater number of matches will be played over a shorter timeframe that governs the season. As the Taoiseach commented, it would simply not be practical to broadcast all GAA matches. However, I understand that RTÉ are committed to broadcasting the same number of GAA matches free to air this year as were available last year.

It must also be borne in mind that RTÉ, as a public service broadcaster, has an obligation to provide a broad range of programmes for the benefit and enjoyment of the entire community. Ultimately, given RTÉ’s statutory independence, editorial decisions are a matter for RTÉ and is not an area where I can intervene.

The designation of major events as free to air, including sports events, is a statutory process which is not intended to designate an entire competition or all of one particular sport’s events. It is intended to ensure free to air coverage of major events and events involving national teams. The criteria which must be fulfilled in order to designate an event are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009 and are informed by Ireland’s obligations under EU Law. The list must be approved by the European Commission.

I am reviewing the results of an initial public consultation on events which may potentially be considered for designation. The process provides for further consultation with members of the public, broadcasters and sports bodies. I intend to progress the review process shortly, and this will allow all interested parties to make their views known. An independent assessment of the economic impact of potential designation will also take place, and all of this will inform any decisions on the future designation of events.