RTE signal scrambling for soccer
Senator Harte asks why RTE is scrambling the Ireland–Austria match signal in Northern Ireland, imposing costs on supporters, and requests clarification or a debate.
On the occasion of the Irish soccer match tonight against Austria, this morning I attended a seminar of Irish supporters' clubs from throughout the world. One group I met from west Belfast asked me to raise this issue which it felt was in breach of the Good Friday Agreement, that tonight RTE will scramble its signal to any viewer north of the Border so that, unlike us, they cannot watch the match tonight in the comfort of their homes. The west Belfast supporters' club stated it had asked the company Sky and it does not know why this is happening. I would ask RTE to clarify why it is stopping the signal going across the Border. I refer to those living in places such as Strabane who cannot watch it whereas those living across the Border in Lifford can watch it on RTE. Perhaps we could have a debate on this.
Comment on this
Mr. Murdoch does not yet own RTE. It is an issue that concerned them and many fans who follow both the Republic of Ireland soccer team and the Northern Ireland soccer team - it is not exclusive. They said that many families up there then have to go to the pub to watch it at a cost. I ask that we get clarification on it from the Minister or have a debate.