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Minister Martin announces review of Designated Events

Public invited to submit views on events which should be made available on a free-to-air basis

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D., has today (10 December 2020) opened a public consultation on the designation of sporting and other events as being of major importance to society.

Events that are designated as being of major importance to society are broadcast, as a matter of public interest, on a qualifying broadcaster (RTÉ, Virgin Media and TG4) on a live or deferred basis.

Minister Martin said:

“It is important that national events which are of great importance to Ireland be shown free to air for us all to enjoy.  Sporting or other events of national importance support social cohesion and create a sense of community, encouraging participation in the event itself and creating a sense of national pride.  Having events of national importance behind a pay wall restricts those who are not in a financial position to subscribe from participating and unfairly excludes those without access through a paywall to the events from engaging with the events on an equivalent basis.”

The consultation gives stakeholders a chance to have their say on the current list, and whether any events should be considered for addition to, or removal from it. Further information on the criteria an event must meet to be eligible for consideration for a designation are available on the consultation webpage.

Responses can be submitted to the Department via;

• the online survey available here
• or send a hard copy of your answers to Darragh Hogan, Review of Major Events Coverage, Broadcasting and Media Division, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, 23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 TD30

The closing date for receipt of observations is 14 January 2021.

The Department proposes to publish all material submitted on the Department’s website. Respondents should clearly identify material that is confidential and which may not be published. The provisions of the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2014 shall apply.

If, following the review, the Minister proposes to add to the list of designated events, she will publish a notice of any additional events that she intends to designate and invite comments on the list.