Cabinet considers adding Six Nations to free sports programming list

The Cabinet is discussing whether or not television coverage of Six Nations rugby should be protected as "free to air".

The list of sporting events categorised as being of enough "cultural significance" to warrant free coverage is updated every three years.

It is understood that the Ladies Gaelic football and camogie finals will also be added to the list, which includes the World Cup, Ireland's soccer qualifiers, the All-Ireland finals and the Olympics.

Minister Brendan Howlin said he fully supports adding the Six Nations to that list.

"I understand there's a submission coming to Government today in relation to that matter - but as a rugby fan, I'm totally behind the Minister for Communications."