Under-fire Ryan seeks report to bolster free-to-air plan

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Eamon Ryan, under fire for proposals to make crucial rugby matches “free-to-air”, has commissioned a report on “events of major importance to society” to bolster his plans.

The Department of Communications has advertised for an “experienced and skilled consultant” to supply the report to Mr Ryan within two months.

“The contract is to research, analyse, and evaluate the socio-cultural, economic and financial aspects and impacts of the designation of events of major importance to society, for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on free television services should be provided in the public interest,” the tender for the contract reads.

It also requires the candidate to review the impact of pay television on “viewership and sport in general”.

Applicants are told the Audiovisual Media Services Directive provides that member states of the European Union may designate certain sporting and cultural events as being of major importance to society and that events so designated should continue to be available on a free television service.

“The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources now proposes that the following events be added to the list and has invited comments from the public and interested parties:

* Gaelic Games: Provincial finals in the senior football and hurling championships; All-Ireland championship senior football and hurling quarter and semi finals.

* Rugby: Ireland’s games in the Six Nations (move from deferred to live basis); European Rugby Cup (qualifiers, quarter finals, semi finals and final when an Irish team is participating) live.

* Horse Racing: The Cheltenham festival.

Last week pressure increased on Mr Ryan to abandon his plans to designate Six Nations and Heineken Cup matches to be shown on free-to-air television after an Oireachtas committee supported the IRFU being allowed to continue negotiate deals on TV rights with broadcasters.