Minister plans to designate main events

THERE are doubts as to whether anything can be done about the deal between the FAI and Sky on the sale of the television rights to Ireland's home internationals.

However, Sports Minister, John O'Donoghue, said if the public are going to be deprived of major events in the future then the Government will be looking at it, and certain events could be designated.

"All I can say at this point is that today the Government had a very good, frank and long discussion on this matter, the legalities will be looked at and then a decision will be arrived at in the context of what emerges," Mr O'Donoghue said, expressing bitter disappointment with the FAI over what happened.