Sky Ireland has said it will take "all actions necessary" to protect its rights to the Ryder Cup if the Government attempts to make the event "free to air" on terrestrial television.

In a document passed to the Government yesterday, the company said as a long-term investor in Ireland the country's reputation "as an open-minded, fairly-operated and business-friendly society" would be damaged by unwarranted interference in the area.

Meanwhile, RTÉ has said all major sporting events should be listed as free to air, including the Ryder Cup. It said this had been its view for several years.

The comments were contained in a submission to a review of television rights and sporting events being carried out by the Department of Communications. Minister Noel Dempsey has indicated he may consider adding the Ryder Cup to the list of designated events reserved for free to air terrestrial television. The Taoiseach supports this position.

Sky pointed out that its services were now available in two-thirds of Irish homes and a significant number of commercial premises. It noted that the Government decided in 2002 against including the Ryder Cup in the list of designated events. It said under a deal with the European PGA tour, RTÉ and BBC had rights to extensive coverage, albeit not live.

Sky said while Ireland's hosting of the event would boost its image among overseas viewers, it was not relevant to designation. Designating the event retrospectively would be "inappropriate and unreasonable".