Submissions sought on TV sport

Members of the public have been invited to make suggestions, including possible additions, to a proposed list of sporting events to be preserved for free-to-air television coverage.

The invitation from the Minister for Communications, Mr Ahern, came in advertisements placed in national newspapers yesterday, and was accompanied by details of the events proposed for designation

These include the Republic of Ireland soccer team's qualifying games for the European Championship and World Cup, as well as the All-Ireland football and hurling finals and rugby's Six Nations Championship.

However, a spokesman for Mr Ahern said the published list was "very much a provisional one" and could be added to in the public consultation process. The closing date for receipt of comments is August 16th.

Other events on the published list are: the Summer Olympics; soccer's World Cup Finals and European Championship Finals; the Rugby World Cup; the Irish Grand National Steeplechase; and the Irish Derby.

Legislation incorporating the EU's "Television without Frontiers" directive allows the minister to designate events of "special general resonance" and "a generally recognised distinct cultural importance".

But the Major Events Television Coverage Act also gives the Minister discretion to decide whether free viewing of such events should be available on a live or deferred basis, or both.

The initiation of the public consultation process comes only two days after the Government announced its intention to proceed with designation, in the face of some criticism from the sporting bodies affected.

The FAI said its controversial deal with Sky TV for exclusive live coverage of the Republic's home games still stood, and warned of a "very serious impact" on Irish soccer if the Government proceeded without agreement from all parties. The IRFU and GAA also expressed concern about the proposed list, with the GAA's director general, Mr Liam Mulvihill, saying that "some form of compensation" would have to be paid.

Comments on the list should be made either by e-mail to sclifford@ealga.ie, or by post to: Broadcasting Division, Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, 43-49 Mespil Road, Dublin 4.

Further information is available at www.dcmnr.gov.ie/

broadcasting/ tvsports.