A European Commission committee has approved the list of sporting events the Government believes should be permanently available on free-to-air television.
The move by the Contact Committee of National Representatives means the list will go before the EU Commissioner for approval within the next few weeks where any objections will be heard.
If the list receives approval at that stage, the Government is then free to pass the necessary legislation in order to guarantee the events will be screened on terrestrial television.
The list comprises; the Republic of Ireland's home and away European Championship and World Cup qualifiers and finals matches, All-Ireland football and hurling finals, the Olympics, the Irish rugby team's matches in the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup and in racing the Irish Grand National and the Irish Derby.
The Government submitted the list to the EU last November in the wake of the FAI's decision to sell the rights for the Republic of Ireland's home internationals to Sky Sports, a subscriber-only channel.
The Minister for Communications, Dermot Ahern, said at the time he hopes to have the legislation passed in time for Ireland's next home qualifying game against Albania in June.
The FAI today released a statement stating they would study any decision and implications it may have for Irish football.
"The continuing development of football in Ireland means there is a clear need to secure the maximum possible revenues from all income streams including TV rights, Government support and match revenues", a spokesman said.
"The key issue is how best to secure the funding which will ensure the future of Irish football. With the Association's plan to make considerable changes already underway, it is crucial that the overall funding for these developments is not affected", he added.