Ahern to draw up list for free-to-air TV

THE Government will next week map out its plans to ensure sports fans will not face a repeat of the controversial FAI deal with Sky Television.

Communications Minister Dermot Ahern has not fixed a time frame for the implementation of legislation to draw up a list of free-to-air television programmes, but has appointed a team within his department to speed up the process.

A special adviser said the minister, who described the FAI-Sky agreement as a devastating blow, has pledged to designate free-to-air sports events as quickly as possible.