Sporting bodies affected by the Government's proposed list of events designated for free TV coverage have warned that the move could be seriously detrimental to the development of their games.
The Football Association of Ireland spoke of a "very serious impact" on Irish soccer if the Government proceeded with the list in the absence of "an agreed working model developed by all the parties involved".
The association said the principle behind the EU directive on listing of events was to enable free-to-viewer coverage while providing "fair market value" for the sporting association involved.
"In an environment where the broadcaster occupies a dominant position, as in the case of RTÉ, the concept of fair market value for listed events is completely unworkable," the FAI said in a statement.
If the listing of international soccer matches had the effect of reducing TV revenues, under-age international matches would be "severely curtailed", the association warned.
In a guarded statement, the Irish Rugby Football Union warned that TV revenues were "fundamental" to the the future of the sport and said any legislative proposals that posed a threat to this were "of concern".
The director general of the GAA, Mr Liam Mulvihill, said it had been made clear to the Government that "some form of compensation" would have to be included in a listing proposal.
