Horse racing coverage
O’Sullivan criticised racing broadcasts for omitting commentary and important races, arguing viewers were not being treated fairly. He asked that the Minister for Agriculture reassure viewers that Irish racing would be shown properly and live.
I will get there by a short head. Although a person might have an interest in one race and be watching it, there is no commentary on the split screen. Worse than that, the channel is omitting other races. It cannot just literally show the racing. Which racing is going to lose out, I ask the Cathaoirleach and the Leader? Will it be the UK races, some of which are worth only £2,000 in prize money, or will it be the valuable Irish races many of which are worth far more?
There was a classic example last week of a very important bumper. Senator Norris is looking at me wondering what a bumper is.
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Good man. It is the last race of the day.
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It is a race of great interest to the punter. They did not show it because there was some Mickey Mouse race on over in Uttoxeter or somewhere. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine should be asked to come in here to assure the Irish viewers that there will be fair play for them. They should be able to watch racing without being charged an arm and a leg and should be assured that the races will be seen live, not repeated, reviewed or recorded.