RTÉ viewers to miss out on Ryder coverage

THE Government was last night accused of failing the Irish people and capitulating to Sky TV after Communications Minister Noel Dempsey announced the Ryder Cup would not be available on a free-to-air basis.

Despite the support of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for a free-to-air Ryder Cup, Mr Dempsey announced yesterday that the tournament would not be included on the Government’s list of free-to-air events.

RTÉ also argued that all major sporting events should be free, including the Ryder Cup.