The Ryder Cup should be freely available on terrestrial television, according to golfer Paul McGinley. However, Mr McGinley - who is a member of the tournament committee of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) - said the Government would have to compensate BSkyB, who have bought the television rights from the PGA.
"Here in Ireland I would like to see it being made available. However that does come at a price," he said.Mr McGinley was instrumental in getting the tournament moved to the K Club in Co Kildare. The event, to be held in September, will be the largest sporting event ever staged in the Republic.
At present Minister for Communications, Noel Dempsey, is investigating whether the event can be "designated" so that it is broadcast live on terrestrial television. He has requested submissions on the issue by January 27th. BSkyB and the PGA European Tour are expected to strongly resist any plan to have the event shown free on terrestrial television.
At present BSkyB owns the rights to show the Ryder Cup and several other golf events on its satellite service. However, the Taoiseach recently said he wanted the event made available to a wider audience, preferably on terrestrial television, most likely RTÉ.
Mr McGinley said he believed some form of compromise was possible, but the Government might have to compensate BSkyB and the PGA European Tour.
"I would like to think a compromise would be made between the European Tour, Sky and the Irish Government as to what's going to happen," he said. "I'll leave that to the politicians and the European Tour to sort out," he said.
So far the European Tour has rejected any suggestion that the tournament might be broadcast free on terrestrial television. It points out that it has a long-term contract with BSkyB for the coverage of leading golf events.
"The Irish Government was made fully aware of the contractual situation with regard to television when agreement was reached in 1997 for Ireland to be the host nation to the Ryder Cup," said a spokesman recently.
RTÉ has rights to show delayed highlights of the event, but its submission to Mr Dempsey is likely to push for greater access. BSkyB, which trades in Ireland as Sky Ireland, was forced in 2003 by the Government to abandon a deal with the FAI to show live home internationals exclusively on Sky.
