Hundreds of thousands of people may be denied the chance to watch the Ryder Cup live on television after a Government ruling, it emerged today.

The Department of Communications confirmed the event, which takes place at the K Club in September, will not be added to a list of designated events reserved for free-to-air terrestrial television.

Communications Minister Noel Dempsey said: "In considering the proposal to designate the Ryder Cup it was clear to the Government that it met some of the criteria but not all. The Government was also mindful of the fact that it was decided not to designate it as free-to-air at the time of the first designation of events in 2003. This would have created a reasonable expectation that it would remain outside of the remit of free-to-air for 2006."

Dempsey said the current list of designated events would remain in place. Jack Wall, Labour Party spokesman on sport, accused Mr Dempsey of bowing to satellite television giant, Sky, by failing to designate the Ryder Cup a free-to-air event.

"I am totally baffled by the Government's decision not to designate the Ryder Cup. Previously they were able to wrestle exclusive rights for Ireland's home international football matches away from Sky, yet have failed on this occasion," Wall said.

"Millions of households across Ireland will now be denied the opportunity to watch the largest international sporting event ever to be staged in this country. The irony is that the attention of the sporting world will be on Ireland in September, yet Irish sports fans will be denied the opportunity to watch the tournament unless they subscribe to Sky television. In fact, many sports fans will be driven into pubs in order to catch a glimpse of the Ryder Cup," added Wall.

In a submission to the Government in January, Sky said its services were now available in two-thirds of Irish homes and many commercial premises. Sky pointed out that in 2002 the Government had decided against including the Ryder Cup in the list of designated events.

During the review of events, RTE said all major sporting events should be listed as free to air. The Department also received submissions related to the designation of games involving Irish teams in the European Rugby Cup and provincial games in the All Ireland Football and Hurling Championships.

"I believe the consideration of whether the Ryder Cup 2006 might be made 'free-to-air' was an important debate, and was very worthwhile," said Dempsey. "Ireland will, I'm sure, look forward to hosting many more prestigious international sporting events in the future. We can celebrate the success of bringing the world's biggest golf tournament to our shores, and I look forward to celebrating further Irish success by the time the Ryder Cup ends this year."

Some of the designated events reserved for free-to-air terrestrial television include the summer Olympics, the All-Ireland Senior Inter-County Football and Hurling Finals, Ireland's home and away qualifying games in the European Football Championship and the FIFA World Cup Tournament, the Irish Grand National and the Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show.