Minister 'disappointed' over FAI deal with Sky

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Mr Dermot Ahern said today he was "disappointed" with the FAI deal to sell the rights to live home games to Sky instead of RTÉ.

He told RTÉ's Morning Irelandthat the Government would be "putting pressure" on sporting organisations to ensure that coverage of certain events remained free, but admitted his influence was "limited" at the moment.

"As a lifelong soccer enthusiast I am particularly disappointed with what has happened," he said.

"It means hundreds of thousands of people will struggle to see Ireland international games from now on.

At the moment, "people power" is the only way to convince Irish sporting organisations that coverage should be free to air, he said.

"But, at the end of the day, the onus is on the organisation themselves because they are the ones that have the property rights over the games," he said.

His fellow Cabinet colleague, Minister for Sport Mr John O'Donoghue, also condemned last week’s announcement.

The Labour Party communications spokesman, Mr Eamon Gilmore, called on Mr Ahern to take urgent action to prevent a repeat of the FAI deal and to "rescue" Ireland’s home internationals from pay television.

He asked why Mr Ahern had not invoked the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999, which gave the Minister the power to name certain major events, which would be, covered on free television services. Mr Gilmore added that the Act anticipated that international soccer matches would be on this list, because it specifically referred to events involving participation by a national team.

"The FAI/ Sky sell-out was facilitated by a Government, which failed to protect the interests of Irish football followers," he said. "The very least which the Government now needs to do is to act without further delay."

The Consumers' Association of Ireland has called on fans to boycott Republic of Ireland's home games. The Irish Football Supporters' Association said it will launch a postcard campaign against the deal.