Minister criticises Sky soccer deal

Communications Minister Dermot Ahern says the decision to sell soccer rights to Sky means many Irish soccer fans won't be able to watch their national side play live on TV.

Mr Ahern says he's "disappointed" with a move by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to sell the rights to live home games to Sky instead of to the national broadcaster RTE.

He says "people power" is the only way to convince Irish sporting organisations that coverage should be free to air.

The announcement by the FAI was condemned by Sports Minister John O'Donoghue, soccer supporters' groups and the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI).

The CAI has called on fans to boycott the Republic of Ireland's home games while the Irish Football Supporters' Association is to launch a postcard campaign against the deal.

Mr Ahern says: "As a lifelong soccer enthusiast I am particularly disappointed with what has happened.

"It means hundreds of thousands of people will struggle to see Ireland international games from now on."

He says there is only "limited" legislation to ensure certain sports are shown free.

"At the end of the day the onus is on the organisation themselves because they are the ones that have the property rights over the games," he says.

He says the Government will be "putting pressure" on sporting organisations to ensure that coverage of certain events remained free. Currently only one in five homes in the Republic has the Sky Sports channel.