You’ll need one of these to see 14 GAA games
THE GAA should ask Sky TV to provide free services to GAA clubs throughout the country following its rights deal, MEP Marian Harkin has insisted.
There has been a mixed reaction to the decision of the GAA to sell rights to 14 games to Sky TV. 31 other games will be free on RTE.
“Because the GAA had been developed and sustained by voluntary effort since it’s foundation the organisation had a duty of care to ensure that the deal with Sky did not shut off access to games to people unable to afford Sky charges.” said Harkin
She called on the GAA to be prepared to pay the fee to Sky which would ensure that in every community in Ireland there would be an opportunity to view all televised games now restricted to Sky – or Sky should provide a free service.
“Older people in particular who cannot get to games and children who should not be required to go to a pub to view GAA games, must be provided with the opportunity to view all televised GAA games”, she said.
“The GAA should consider paying the Sky service fee and help to provide an appropriate screen in GAA clubs, in the first instance, or community halls.
“GAA clubs themselves would be very capable of organising transport, if necessary, for people to view games in clubs or community halls. This would avoid a situation where people who do not wish to have Sky service or cannot afford it, are precluded from enjoying GAA games, the development of which many of them contributed so much,” added the MEP.
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