MINISTER FOR Communications Eamon Ryan has appointed independent consultants to examine his proposals to designate certain sport fixtures as free-to-air.
Indecon International Economic Consultants has been chosen to study the proposal and prepare a report by early October.
The Minister’s proposal to make competitions such as the Six Nations and Heineken Cup available on terrestrial TV has resulted in conflict with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the GAA have also expressed concern at elements of the proposals.
Mr Ryan said the consultants would evaluate the economic, financial and social impact of designating sports of major public interest as free-to-air.
“It is my intention to use the report in finalising my consideration of the many complex issues involved in the designation process, and I will be asking all key stakeholders to assist the consultants in whatever way possible so that all relevant information and views are taken fully into account,” Mr Ryan said.
Under the terms of the Broadcasting Act, 2009, Mr Ryan is obliged to review the designated list of sporting events of public importance that should be made available on free-to-air television.
Two public consultations have been carried out on this issue – one in 2009 and one more recently, which concluded on July 4th.
The IRFU has been most vocal in its criticism of the proposals. Its chief executive Philip Browne has claimed that designating the Six Nations and Heineken Cup as free-to-air would “devastate the sport for generations to come” by costing the organisation €10 million to €12 million a year.
He also predicted that the game’s leading players would move abroad and the number of professional teams in Ireland would decline if the plan was implemented.
An Oireachtas committee which was examining the issue earlier this summer also backed the IRFU’s stance.
The motion, which was passed without a vote, called for the IRFU to continue to have the independence to deal with broadcasters in the way it felt best served the game.
It also called on Minister for Sport Mary Hanafin to make this view known at Cabinet and during a consultation process.
