A proposal by Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan to move rugby matches to free-to-air television would turn Ireland into a “second tier” rugby country, former minister for sport John O’Donoghue has said.
Speaking in the Dáil, Mr O’Donoghue said Irish rugby owes its growth to the balance between revenue and TV exposure. He said increased free-to-air coverage would “swing the pendulum all the way towards TV exposure,” and the IRFU’s income would drop by up to 20 per cent.
He warned Mr Ryan’s proposals would reduce national and provincial teams’ prospects of success, weaken Ireland’s sporting patronage, encourage Irish players to join foreign teams and reduce the number of Irish professional teams.
“I am very much afraid that if the minister’s proposal is put in place we will see a spiral of decline in the professional game which, in turn, will undermine the club and schools’ game in Ireland," he said.
“The unfortunate facts are that an enormous drop in revenue would lead to a spiral of decline with Irish rugby becoming a second class citizen on the world stage.”
The Heineken Cup, or European Rugby Cup, is available live only to Sky Sports subscribers. RTÉ shows deferred highlights.
Television rights are sold centrally by European rugby collectives of which the IRFU is a member. Mr O’Donoghue says Irish rugby is a net beneficiary, as Irish broadcasters contribute €5 million but the IRFU receives €16 million in return.
He claims RTÉ “have shown time and again that they will use a monopoly position to their commercial advantage and drive down revenues.” He added there is a correlation between rugby’s growth in Ireland and the amount of money invested in it.
Mr Ryan defended his proposals and said it is important that young people can see high-level rugby on free-to-air television.
Mr O’Donoghue says he “fully accepts the bona fides” of Mr Ryan in seeking a public debate on the issue.