The IRFU and ERC have responded cautiously to today’s proposal by Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan to include Six Nations and Heineken Cup matches among sporting events freely available on television.
The Minister has proposed using Irish legislation and an EU directive to designate certain sporting events free-to-air.
At present the Heineken Cup is only available to Sky Sports subscribers, while RTÉ broadcasts deferred highlights of matches.
The proposal to ring-fence certain events as free-to-air has financial implications for the television rights negotiated by tournament organisers. Both the IRFU and ERC say they have “noted” the Minister's announcement but did not elaborate.
"At this juncture we do not feel it appropriate to make a detailed comment, other than to say that Ireland's ability to compete at the highest levels, both internationally and at European Club level, has brought tremendous enjoyment and pride to the country as a whole and has been built on rugby's ability to invest major financial resources in our teams," said Philip Browne, IRFU chief executive.
"We will obviously engage actively with the Minister and his department as part of the consultative process to ensure any proposals being brought forward would not lead to a weakening of our teams' abilities to compete, and so strike at the very heart of the game in this country.”
The financial implications of the proposal strike at the heart of any concerns by governing bodies that already have designated television rights in place. It remains to be seen how the proposal would affect the Irish rugby team, provinces and grassroots rugby.
“This is a serious issue. We're examining the implications at the moment. We will be ready for the consultative process,” said the ERC in a brief statement.
The timing of the announcement comes on the eve of one of the biggest weekend’s in Irish rugby with Leinster and Munster both in Heineken Cup semi-final action against Toulouse and Biarritz respectively.
In the last decade the Heineken Cup has become the premier rugby competition in Europe with Irish provinces featuring prominently. Munster are two time winners and Leinster the reigning champions.
The Summer Olympics, All-Ireland senior football and hurling finals, the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup and European qualifying games and Finals games are currently available under free-to-air viewing.
The list also includes the opening games, semi-finals and final of the World Cup and European Championship Finals, Ireland's matches in the Rugby World Cup Finals, the Irish Grand National and the Irish Derby and the Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show.
In addition to the Six Nations and Heineken Cup, the Minster has proposed the provincial finals in the senior football and hurling championships, the quarter-finals and semi-finals in the All-Ireland senior football and hurling championship and the Cheltenham Festival be on the free-to-air list.