COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 14, 2016

MOTION NO.1

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

Mayors Business

The elected members of South Dublin County Council call on the GAA to reverse their policy of selling the exclusive broadcasting rights of Gaelic Games to subscription viewing channels and to return to the long held position of the GAA that ensured all Televised Championship Gaelic Games are shown on terrestrial Free to Air channels for all to see.

The viewership difference between comparable fixtures on Sky and when TV3 had the exclusive rights are close to 400,00O. These 400,000 viewers really want to watch their national sports and are excluded as they cannot afford to subscribe to Sky. The average GAA fixture on TV3 attracted 289,000 viewers while Sky viewership was 10 times less, in the mid twenty thousands.

This exclusion from watching their national sports is especially hard for all those in hospitals, care homes, the elderly, those with mobility issues, those in poor health, those on shift work and all those families who through limited financial means or other circumstances are unable to attend GAA fixtures but would love to watch their county teams.

The people that built and sustain the GAA through selfless volunteerism are being excluded.

If the GAA do not reverse this policy we call on the Minister for Communications to begin the process under the Broadcasting Act 2009 to designate all Gaelic Games as being Free to Air given their special resonance and distinct cultural significance and importance for the people of Ireland. Currently, only the Hurling and Football All-Ireland Final are designated as Free to Air.

That the Chief Executive inform the Secretary General of the GAA in writing of the contents of this motion and that it be copied to the Minister for Communications.

 

REPORT:

If the Motion is passed a letter will issue to the Secretary General of the GAA and a copy to the appropriate Minister.  When a reply is received it will be issued to the Members.