The IRFU has described the Governments decision to place Ireland's Six Nations matches on a 'deferred' list of protected events as the best the body could have hoped for given the circumstances.
The Minister for Communications, Dermot Ahern, yesterday published a list of sporting events it wants to keep on free-to-air terrestrial broadcasting. Inevitably, the list does not sit easily with all parties concerned, notable some of the sporting bodies and broadcasters involved.
And while the likes of the Republic of Ireland's European qualifying matches and All-Ireland football and hurling finals were included on the list, Ireland's Six Nations matches were placed on a deferred list following talks with the IRFU.
After the list was published, the IRFU released a statement stating it's concerns about Government interference in the sports broadcasting marketplace, while acknowledging a "reasonable balance" had been achieved.
"The IRFU, from the outset, has maintained that interference by the Government in the sports broadcasting market place may have a detrimental effect on the ability of sports organisations to fund their activity particularly in the context of the Irish sports broadcasting market.
"Given that the Government has chosen to go down the route of listing sports events, the decision to place Ireland's Six Nations matches on a "deferred" list is the best that could be achieved by the IRFU.
"It represents a reasonable balance between protecting the public interest and at the same time safe guarding the ability of the IRFU to finance its activities at all levels."
Events live on free-to-air TV
- All of Ireland's home and away qualifying games in European Football Championships and FIFA World Cups.
- Ireland's games in European Football Championship finals and FIFA World Cup finals.
- The opening game, the semi-finals and finals of European Championships and World Cups.
- All-Ireland hurling and football finals.
- Ireland's games in rugby World Cup finals.
- The Irish Grand National and Irish Derby.
- The Nation's Cup at the Dublin Horse Show.
- The Summer Olympics